Amaechi Okonkwo, Author at Tribune Online

The Rivers State government has expressed deep concerns over the impending bleak future of the state due to the uncooperative disposition of the House of Assembly, which seems determined to impeach Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara. Making the state’s position known on Monday during a press conference, Commissioner for Information and Communications, Joe Johnson, criticised the legislators' rigid stance against compromise and their refusal to work towards moving the state forward. Johnson’s statement comes in the wake of the impeachment process initiated by the Rivers State House of Assembly against Governor Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu. Johnson emphasised that the Governor's efforts to implement the Supreme Court judgement, along with the presentation of the 2025 Appropriation Bill, have been frustrated by the House of Assembly. He cited their refusal to receive Governor Fubara’s letter and the inaccessibility of the Assembly Quarters, which have served as an alternative plenary venue for the Amaewhule-led assembly since the crisis commenced in late 2023. He lamented the bleak future facing the people of Rivers State, blaming the actions of the Martin Amaewhule-led Assembly for impeding the Governor’s readiness to comply with the Supreme Court judgement. The Commissioner stated: "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, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, to fully implement the judgement of the Supreme Court on the long-drawn political and legal battle that has lingered since the ill-fated attempt to impeach him on 30th October 2023." He further stated that, since the start of this unjustified onslaught, Governor Fubara has demonstrated unwavering commitment to peace and a determination to prioritise the welfare of the people of Rivers State above personal or sectional interests. Johnson added: "In his statewide broadcast a few days after the judgement, Governor Fubara 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 were saddened by the judgement, 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, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), civil society organisations (CSOs), the press, and the general public were invited to attend at their headquarters in Port Harcourt. "At that stakeholders' meeting, the electoral umpire set the ball rolling for the conduct of fresh LGA elections by releasing the elections timetable and guidelines, fixing 9th August 2025 for the exercise. "This is in full compliance with the Supreme Court judgement ordering a fresh election into the third tier of government." The Commissioner further noted the several steps the Governor had taken to implement the orders of the apex court, expressing concerns over the House of Assembly’s failure to cooperate in achieving the desired peace. He stated that, on Friday, 14th March 2025, Governor Fubara, in keeping with his resolve to do the needful, sent another letter personally signed by him to the House Speaker, Rt. Hon. Amaewhule. The letter notified him and members of the RSHA under his leadership of the Governor’s plan to re-present the 2025 budget to them on Wednesday, 19th March 2025, or any other day convenient to the House, in compliance with the Supreme Court verdict, to ensure the continued functioning of the state government. "Regrettably, the staff of the Assembly refused to receive and acknowledge the letter. A courier company engaged to deliver the letter also returned it with a report that it was rejected at the Assembly Quarters, where the members currently sit," Johnson stated. He continued, "Yet, the narrative from the Rivers State House of Assembly is that Governor Fubara has refused to present the budget. "Although it is tempting to ignore false narratives on social media that Governor Fubara has refused to take steps to present the budget to the Assembly, we cannot disregard the press briefing by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Dr Enemi George, alleging that the Governor is frustrating the implementation of the Supreme Court’s judgement, particularly the directive requiring him to re-present the 2025 Appropriation Bill to the lawmakers. "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. 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," the Commissioner stated, stressing, "We cannot produce an acknowledgment copy because the Assembly rejected the letter from the Governor. However, we can 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 court’s judgement. "To the chagrin of all right-thinking persons, the Assembly members announced that they were proceeding on vacation and legislative activities were adjourned sine die!" According to the Commissioner, "It is glaringly clear that with the current actions of the House, the dire consequences and harsh realities that the civil servants, retirees, and people of the state will face unimaginable economic hardships, as the government will be unable to pay salaries, pensions, and other emoluments, as well as perform other obligations, at the end of the month. This is because both the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant-General of the Federation have been ordered to withhold revenue allocations to the state until its judgement is fully implemented. "The collateral damages of the actions of the legislative arm of government in Rivers will be so severe that the non-release of warehoused revenues due to the state from the Federation Account will ultimately ground the operation of all sectors of the government. "Should this opportunity to pull the state from the precipice fail, the people and residents of the state, without exception, are bound to suffer avoidable calamities of economic, social, and political upheavals that might sink us deeper into an unimaginable crisis," the Commissioner warned. Meanwhile, the security situation in the state has remained calm but tense. Contrary to reports of pockets of violence and the alleged torching of the house of Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), people are going about their businesses peacefully without any violence. There is also no evidence of unusual deployment of police or other security agencies around Port Harcourt, the state capital, as people continue their daily endeavours, although developments in the state dominate discussions among residents. The State Police Command also issued a statement to debunk the report of the burning of Wike's residence, saying such an incident never happened. A statement by the Command's Spokesperson, CP Grace Iringe-Koko, described the report as misleading and malicious: "The Command categorically states that this report is entirely false, baseless, and a deliberate attempt by mischief makers to incite unrest and spread fear among law-abiding residents. There is no record of any such incident, and normalcy prevails across the state. The general public is urged to disregard these unfounded claims, which are clearly intended to cause panic and destabilise the relative peace and security enjoyed by the good people of Rivers State. "Furthermore, the Police Command sternly warns those responsible for spreading such incendiary falsehoods to desist from engaging in activities capable of inciting public disorder. The full weight of the law will be brought to bear on individuals or groups found guilty of spreading misinformation or attempting to disrupt the peace in any form. "The Rivers State Police Command remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents. We urge members of the public to rely on credible sources for information and to report any suspicious activities to law enforcement agencies. Citizens should remain calm and go about their lawful activities without fear," the Police Command stated. ALSO READ FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE