Rivers Gov’t Reacts to Move By State Assembly to Impeach Governor Fubara

The Rivers State Government has reacted to the latest attempt by the Rivers State House of Assembly to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, has accused Governor Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, of gross misconduct.

In response, Rivers State Commissioner for Information, Warisenibo Joe Johnson, released a statement accusing the lawmakers of obstructing the governor from implementing a recent Supreme Court ruling.

The statement, titled “Rivers People Facing Gloomy Future”, alleged that the Assembly’s actions were preventing Governor Fubara from carrying out the court’s directives.

“It is now common knowledge that members of the Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly have by their actions refused to allow the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Sir (Dr.) Siminalayi Fubara, to fully implement the judgment of the Supreme Court.”

The statement reads:

RIVERS PEOPLE FACING GLOOMY FUTURE, AS UNCOOPERATIVE ACTIONS OF RT. HON. MARTINS AMAEWHULE-LED RIVERS STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY IMPEDING GOVERNOR FUBARA’S READINESS TO IMPLEMENT SUPREME COURT JUDGMENT

It is now common knowledge that members of the Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly have by their actions refused to allow the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Sir (Dr.) Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS to fully implement the judgment of the Supreme Court on the long drawn political and legal battle that has lingered since after the ill-fated attempt to impeach him on October 30, 2023.

Right from when this unjustified onslaught against Governor Fubara started, the gentleman has never left anyone in doubt about his unwavering commitment to peace and resolute determination to put Rivers people FIRST over and above personal and/or sectional interests.

A few days after the Friday, February 28, 2025 shocking judgment of the Supreme Court on the consolidated cases touching on the seizure of federation revenue allocation due the state, annulment of the credible, free, fair and peaceful Local Government elections of Saturday, October 5, 2024, re-presentation of the 2025 budget to the Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly and the most contentious defection issue (which was never before the Apex Court, but surprisingly vaguely touched by the learned jurists of the 5-man panel), Governor Siminalayi Fubara has never left anyone in doubt about his preparedness not only to obey, but fully implement the Supreme Court judgment, no matter the unfortunate and unfavourable outcome.

STATEWIDE BROADCAST

In his statewide broadcast a few days after the judgment, Governor declared his acceptance of the judgement and made an unambiguous commitment to full compliance and implementation.

In that broadcast, he ordered the recently duly elected LGA Chairmen ousted by the Apex Court, to immediately hand over to the Heads of Local Government Administrations (HLGAs), even as he appealed to his supporters who are sad over the judgment to accept it with equanimity.

The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) under the leadership of its indefatigable Chairman and Chief Electoral Officer, Hon. Justice Adolphus Enebeli (rtd.), in compliance with the Supreme Court verdict, convened a stakeholders meeting wherein all registered political parties in the state, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), Civil Society organisations (CSOs), the Press and general public were invited to attend at their headquarters in Port Harcourt.

At that stakeholders meeting, the Electoral umpire set the ball rolling for conduct of a fresh LGAs elections by releasing the elections timetable and elections guidelines, fixing August 9, 2025 for the exercise.

This is in full compliance of the Supreme Court judgment ordering a fresh election into the third tier of government.

The Rivers State House of Assembly in a frenzy, issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the State Chief Executive to re-represent the 2025 budget.

But observers who are knowledgeable on legislative procedures saw this RSHA action as an aberration and abuse of legislative duties and privileges.

While Rivers people were yet to digest the unfolding drama, the Rt. Amaewhule-led House issued another 48-hour ultimatum to the Chairman of RSIEC, the highly respected retired Justice Enebeli, who was appointed RSIEC Chairman by the former governor of the state and current FCT Minister, Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike.

They followed this bizarre action up with the issuance of a warrant of arrest of the gentleman and Commissioners of RSIEC.

Not done with that, they declared the appointment of 19 Commissioners by Governor Fubara as illegal, prompting the affected Commissioners to drag Amaewhule and his colleagues to court.

Following the refusal by the Assembly to receive and acknowledge the Governor’s letter, delivered by government officials and a courier company, the Rivers State Government took the initiative of publishing the letter in two national dailies – The Nation and The Guardian – on Friday the 14th of March, 2025. It would be uncharitable to claim that the Governor’s letter was published on social media and not formally delivered to the Assembly.

Dr. Enemi George also challenged the Governor to produce an acknowledgment copy of the letter under reference. We cannot produce an acknowledgment copy because the Assembly rejected the letter from the Governor. We can however refer all parties to the substituted means of service in The Nation and The Guardian.

The Rivers State Governor is acting in good faith notwithstanding that false narratives are being peddled by the same people frustrating compliance with the judgment of court.

To the chagrin of all right thinking persons, the Assembly members announced that it was proceeding on vacation and Legislative activities adjourned sine die!