Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, faced a significant embarrassing hurdle on Wednesday when he was denied access to the Rivers State House of Assembly quarters, where lawmakers led by Speaker Amaewhule were in the midst of plenary sessions.
Reports indicate that the governor arrived at the Assembly quarters on Wednesday morning with the intention of presenting the state’s 2025 budget, only to encounter a locked gate that barred his entry
This dramatic incident has raised eyebrows amid ongoing tensions between the governor and the legislature concerning budgetary matters and others.
The governor had been at loggerhead with the lawmakers loyal to his predecessor Nyesom Wike.
Upon the pro Wike 27 lawmakers announcement of their defection from the PDP to the APC, the governor declared their legislative seats vacant.
Fubara thereafter presented the budget to the remaining 4 member legislature.
But recently, the supreme court in a landmark ruling gave legitimacy to the Amaewhule and pro Wike lawmakers and instructed the governor to represent the budget appropriation to the Amaewhule Assembly amongst other orders.
Fubara had previously expressed his commitment to implement a recent Supreme Court judgment, which notably includes the formal presentation of the 2024 budget.
However, this budget was initially submitted to a faction of the Assembly consisting of only four members back in December 2023, adding to the complexity of the situation.
Last week, in a move signaling the urgency of the legislature’s demands, the Assembly issued a 48-hour ultimatum for the governor to present the 2025 budget.
In response, Fubara emphasized that he was waiting for the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the court judgment before proceeding with any actions related to the budget.
Adding to the intrigue, on Sunday, Fubara sent a letter signed by the Secretary to the State Government,
Tammy Danagogo, inviting Speaker Martins Amaewhule and the lawmakers for discussions centered around the Supreme Court ruling.
The proposed talks were expected to address various pressing matters, including the budget presentation and the payment of outstanding salaries to legislators.
This unfolding crisis within the Rivers Assembly could have broader implications for governance in the state.
As the relationship between the executive and legislative branches becomes increasingly strained,
the potential for continued political discord looms large.
It is being insinuated or speculated that Governor Fubara could be Impeached soon.
Some stakeholders and party chieftain in the state have called for Fubara resignation or forceful removal.
Observers note that effective governance relies on a cooperative relationship between these entities, and without timely resolutions to these disputes,
the state’s ability to address critical issues such as infrastructure development, public welfare, and economic growth may be compromised.
Although the Rivers Governor, Fubara is the chief security officer of the state, the assembly complex is a distinct institution with certain autonomy.
If the governor visits without proper documentation and invitation, such visit may be interpreted differently.