- Fubara: “I Did My Best, Amaewhule Assembly Frustrated My Efforts”
- Amaewhule: “Tinubu Did The Right Thing, Fubara Has Failed To Govern Rivers State. .”
By Abiola Olawale
Political Tensions in Rivers State escalated further heightened on Wednesday as suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara clashed with suspended lawmakers from the Rivers State House of Assembly led by suspended speaker Martin Amaewhule in a heated argument over President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in the oil-rich-state.
This comes after Tinubu during a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, March 18, announced the immediate suspension of Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.
Tinubu’s declaration came after months of intensifying conflict between Fubara and factions believed to be loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, a former governor of Rivers State.
The President who cited what he called the breakdown of governance and rising security threats as justification for the State of emergency, had proceeded to appoint Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (rtd) as the state’s administrator.
Addressing the development, Fubara expressed disappointment over the federal intervention but maintained that his administration had prioritized peace, stability, and the welfare of Rivers residents despite ongoing political tensions.
Fubara accused the Amaewhule-led Assembly, believed to be loyal to the immediate past governor of Rivers State and incumbent Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike, of orchestrating the crisis to undermine his administration.
He said: “Unfortunately, at every turn, members of the Rivers State House of Assembly frustrated our efforts, thus making genuine peace and progress difficult.”
Fubara further urged Rivers State residents to remain calm amidst the escalating political crisis.
In a counter-reaction, the suspended lawmakers, led by Amaewhule, fired back, accusing Fubara of inviting federal intervention through reckless actions.
In a statement signed by Amaewhule, on behalf of members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, the lawmakers informed their constituents of the present situation while backing the President’s action.
The 27 lawmakers led by Amaewhule blamed Fubara, for the condition of Rivers State, accusing him of continually disobeying judgments and orders of the courts, failing to govern the state in line with his oath of office and the Constitution.
The statement reads in part: “The governor’s despotic actions, as confirmed by the courts, in which he also unconstitutionally obstructed the Rivers State House of Assembly—an arm of government—from functioning, underlie this situation.
“As an Assembly, we assure you all, our constituents, that we will abide by this declaration even though it is not what we prayed for.
“Mr President has acted in the best interest of the country; therefore, we call on you all to remain calm as the Sole Administrator appointed by the President assumes his duty in the best interest of our State and Nation.
“Rest assured that we will give any kind of support required of the Rivers State House of Assembly to the Sole Administrator in the best interest of our dear state.”
