ongoing power struggle between Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Rivers State House of Assembly has taken a dramatic turn following the Supreme Court’s reinstatement of lawmakers loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Since the ruling, tensions have escalated, with continuous verbal exchanges between the governor and the 27 pro-Wike lawmakers, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule.
In an exclusive interview, the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Hon. Enemi George, refuted several claims made by Governor Fubara, particularly concerning the 2025 budget presentation.
Governor Fubara recently accused the Assembly of frustrating his efforts to present the budget, but George dismissed this allegation, insisting that the House had been urging the governor to submit the budget for review.
He stated that there was never a time the governor officially wrote to the House to present the budget and described Fubara’s claim that he was locked out of the Assembly quarters as completely false.
According to George, the Assembly had earlier written to the governor, requesting that he present the budget within 48 hours to ensure timely approval and the disbursement of state funds. However, the governor allegedly ignored the request.
He further questioned why, if the budget was ready, the governor had not simply sent it to the Assembly, instead of making a public display at the Assembly gates, portraying himself as being locked out.
The situation was further aggravated by the demolition of the State Assembly complex, which Governor Fubara allegedly ordered following a fire incident.
George clarified that, due to the destruction, lawmakers had been forced to relocate their sittings to a bouquet hall within their residential quarters, which is a secured area that requires prior notification for access.
He explained that this was not a public space where anyone could simply walk in unannounced, refuting the governor’s claim that he was denied entry.
Another point of contention is the appointment of commissioners. Following the Supreme Court ruling that invalidated Fubara’s commissioners, the Assembly requested that he re-nominate them to ensure their legal recognition.
However, George revealed that instead of complying, the governor ignored the request and even instructed his commissioners to sue the Assembly in court.
Speculation has been mounting that the Assembly is planning to impeach Governor Fubara, but George dismissed such claims, stating that no impeachment motion had been tabled.
He explained that impeachment is a legal process that follows investigations and findings of misconduct, and, as of now, no such discussions had taken place.
Meanwhile, he accused the governor of withholding the Assembly’s funds for over a year and six months, which has affected more than 200 staff members and disrupted the smooth functioning of the legislative arm.
The prolonged crisis has paralyzed governance in Rivers State, with both the executive and legislative arms locked in a political standoff. George lamented that, instead of focusing on delivering governance to the people, politics for the 2027 elections was already taking center stage.
He stressed that Rivers people deserved better leadership and urged both parties to set aside personal interests for the sake of the state.
As the standoff continues, stakeholders are calling for reconciliation between Governor Fubara and the Assembly to restore political stability and ensure governance is not derailed. However, with both sides standing firm, the political crisis in Rivers State appears far from over.