Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State was on Wednesday prevented from accessing the State Assembly Quarters in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
PREMIUM TIMES learned that Mr Fubara was at the quarters to re-present the 2025 budget to the lawmakers under the leadership of the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule.
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The Amaewhule-led assembly is made up of 27 lawmakers, all of whom are loyal to the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike.
After the assembly complex was demolished in December 2023, the 27 lawmakers began to use their official quarters as the chamber for legislative sitting.
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Denial of access
A video clip circulating on Facebook showed that when Mr Fubara and his entourage arrived at the entrance of the assembly quarters, the gates were locked.
Speaking to reporters at the gate, the governor accused the Speaker, Mr Amaewhule, of deliberately avoiding him.
“Before my arrival here, I made several attempts to speak to the Speaker. I also sent a letter which was transmitted for this particular invitation.
“Unfortunately, at the gate, you can see that the place is completely sealed, and there is no sign that anything is going to happen today,” he stated.
Mr Fubara stressed that his quest to re-present the 2025 budget to the lawmakers as ordered by the Supreme Court was in the interest of the people.
The governor said he remains committed to fulfilling his constitutional duties in the state.
“The reason why we are doing this, I have always said, is in the interest of our people, which is the most important thing. I don’t think there is anything to worry about. I expect to hear from them (lawmakers) after today,” he said, before leaving the premises with his entourage.
Background
Messrs Fubara and Wike have been engaged in a protracted political face-off over the control of political structure in the south-southern state.
The face-off split the state assembly into two factions – 27 lawmakers loyal to Mr Wike and three to Mr Fubara.
Both factions held parallel plenaries.
Following the demolition of the assembly complex, the pro-Wike lawmakers moved their sitting to a different venue, while those loyal to Mr Fubara moved to a building at the Government House.
Mr Fubara had been forwarding all executive communications, including bills and nominees for appointments to the three-member faction for consideration and approval.
But in February, the Supreme Court restored Mr Amaewhule’s position as the speaker, reinstated the others as legitimate members of the assembly, and nullified the local government election organised by Mr Fubara’s administration.
The lawmakers subsequently gave the governor 48 hours to re-present the budget.
The governor had vowed to implement the order of the Supreme Court despite disagreeing with the verdict.
Meanwhile, on 7 March, the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Tammy Danagogo, wrote the lawmakers, inviting them to a meeting with Mr Fubara to discuss a suitable space for the assembly’s sittings, payment of outstanding remuneration and allowances for the lawmakers, and budget presentation.
But the lawmakers declined the invitation.
Ahead of the Wednesday visit to the lawmakers, Governor Fubara informed the Amaewhule-led assembly that he would come to their chambers to present the Rivers 2025 budget for their consideration and approval.
The governor’s letter to the Speaker, Mr Amaewhule, was dated 11 March 2025.
As of the time of this report, the assembly has not given an official reason for Wednesday’s incident although Mr Amaewhule has accused the governor of insincerity in implementing the Supreme Court’s ruling.
