Political pundits, observers and those with keen interest in the political developments in Rivers State have been reacting to the recent landmark supreme court judgements on Rivers States legislative house tussle and that of local governments administration /elections.
Insinuations and projections are rife that the Siminalayi Fubara’s administration could be nearing it’s end with his arch political enemies expected to be in charge of rivers state political control of the house of assembly and local government administration.
Reflecting on the rift between Fubara and Wike and by extension the Martin Amaewhule Assembly, Governor Fubara’s impeachment process could speculatively start in earnest.
Fubara’s administration could also be frustrated by these known foes in strategic government institutions and leadership position.
It is also believed that Fubara is not in the good book of Abuja and the presidency.
Rivers Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara has been at logger head with his predecessor Nyesom Wike.
CURRENT DYNAMICS AND REALITY: The supreme court of Nigeria in a unanimous judgment delivered by Justice Emmanuel Akomaye. The five-man panel unanimously dismissed Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s cross-appeal, challenging the legitimacy of the House of Assembly led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule.
The Court Orders Immediate Resumption of Rivers Assembly headed by Speaker Martin Amaewhule. The Supreme Court also instructed Speaker Amaewhule to reconvene the Rivers State House of Assembly with all elected members. This decision was made in light of Governor Fubara’s actions, which the court deemed an affront to the democratic process.
The court criticized Governor Fubara for presenting an appropriation bill to a four-man House of Assembly, effectively denying twenty-eight constituencies representation. This move was seen as a blatant disregard for a court order mandating the governor to re-present the 2024 appropriation bill before a validly constituted Assembly.
Fubara action is an act of brigandage and dictatorship aimed at preventing the House from performing its legitimate functions under the speakership of Amaewhule.
*Demolition of Assembly Complex Condemned
The court also condemned Governor Fubara’s demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex, labeling it an act of indiscipline and excessive use of executive power aimed at frustrating the Assembly’s operations.
The Supreme Court of Nigeria has forbidden the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Accountant General of the Federation, and other agencies from disbursing funds to the Rivers State government. Until the legitimate Amaewhule takes charge of the States Assembly.
In another ruling, the Supreme Court deemed the local government election held on October 5, 2024, by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission to be invalid.
Justice Jamilu Tukur delivered the ruling, stating that the election was invalid due to significant violations of the Electoral Act.
While reading the judgment, Justice Tukur indicated that the actions taken by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission were nullified because they did not substantially comply with the Electoral Act and its guidelines, particularly by continuing voter registration after announcing the election date.
The court found that the processes leading to the local government election were curtailed, clearly breaching Section 150 of the Electoral Act.
Divided House:- The turmoil within the House stemmed from a rift between the former governor and current Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, and his successor, Governor Fubara.As a result of this fallout, the House became divided, with 27 members, led by Amaehwule, remaining loyal to Wike, while four others, under the leadership of Edison Ehie, chose to align with Governor Fubara.
Governor Fubara subsequently appointed Ehie as his Chief of Staff, and Victor Oko-Jumbo took over the leadership of the faction in the House that supported the governor.
The conflict also led to parallel sessions, an attempted impeachment of the governor, the demolition of the Assembly complex, and numerous resignations of pro-Wike commissioners from Fubara’s cabinet.
Both factions have been engaged in legal battles for several months, culminating in the Supreme Court ruling on Friday.
The court noted that Governor Fubara had withdrawn his counter-affidavit in the lower court, making it impossible for him to initiate an appeal in a case he did not contest at the trial level.
In a unanimous decision, the court emphasized that Governor Fubara should adhere to the rule of law rather than resorting to the rule of force.
Furthermore, the court remarked that the circumstances in the Rivers State House of Assembly reflected an executive dictatorship by the governor and had become a farce.
One is curious to ask, what would be the next move Governor Fubara and how will he maneuver the seeming political gangup over the control of power
