Just-In: Amaewhule led-Rivers Assembly enacts laws without Fubara’s assent

The Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, has enacted three laws without the assent of Governor Siminialayi Fubara.

The lawmakers invoked Section 100(5) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which empowers the legislature to override a governor’s veto in the interest of the public.

The bills in question include:

1. Rivers State Education (Return of Schools) (Amendment) Bill.

2. Rivers Electricity Market Bill.

3. Rivers State Commissions of Inquiry Bill 2024.

According to a statement signed by Amaewhule’s Special Assistant on Media, Martins Wachukwu, the bills were previously passed and sent to Governor Fubara for assent.

However, following the governor’s refusal to sign, the Assembly reintroduced and debated the bills, culminating in their passage into law.

Speaker Amaewhule criticized Governor Fubara, describing his refusal to assent as “indolence and ineptitude,” and accused him of undermining constitutional and legislative processes.

He affirmed that the Assembly acted within its constitutional mandate to ensure the state’s progress.

The Majority Leader, Major Jack, spearheaded the re-presentation of the bills, which received unanimous support from the Assembly members.