Tensions are rife in Rivers State following the Supreme Court ruling affirming the legitimacy of the House of Assembly led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule. This ruling has further intensified discussions around a potential impeachment of Governor Sinminalayi Fubara.
The Supreme Court’s decision regarding the 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, previously declared vacant due to alleged defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC), has removed any legal obstacles for former Governor Nyesom Wike and his supporters. They are now poised to take decisive action against Governor Fubara.
In a 62-page judgment (SC/CV/1174/2024), the Supreme Court stated that there was “no iota or shred of evidence” supporting claims that the lawmakers had defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC.
Previously, Governor Fubara had attempted to govern with only four lawmakers aligned with him, disregarding the 27 who he claimed had defected. However, Justice Emmanuel Agim clarified that the Constitution does not support Fubara’s decision to recognize only those four members.
The ruling confirmed the legitimacy of the Amaewhule-led Assembly, designating the 27 lawmakers as the only official body with which the governor can conduct state affairs. In their first session post-judgment, the Assembly mandated Fubara to present the 2025 budget within 48 hours, following the Supreme Court’s order blocking federal allocations to the Rivers State Government until an Appropriation Bill is passed.
In response, Governor Fubara directed the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission to conduct new local government elections and instructed outgoing local government chairmen to transfer power to Heads of Local Government Administration. Amaewhule criticized this directive as illegal and contrary to the Supreme Court’s ruling.
The Assembly reminded the governor of the relevant constitutional provisions and laws prohibiting the administration of local governments by non-elected officials. Reports suggest that the Assembly is considering impeachment proceedings against Fubara. Wike, during a live media chat, stated that if Fubara has committed impeachable offenses, he should be impeached, emphasizing that “politics is not play.”
Rivers APC Chairman Tony Okocha also urged Fubara to resign or face impeachment, calling the governor’s invitation to the 27 lawmakers a “Greek gift.”
Conversely, the Ijaw National Congress (INC) has warned against any moves to remove Fubara, stating that such actions could jeopardize peace in the Niger Delta. INC President Prof. Benjamin Okaba condemned the Supreme Court’s ruling, arguing it overlooked the historical sacrifices made by the Ijaw people in governance and warned of dire consequences for national stability if Fubara’s office is undermined.
