Settlement Meeting: Amaewhule-led Rivers Assembly gives conditions to honor Fubara’s invitation

The Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly has dismissed Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s invitation for a meeting, stating that it was improperly communicated through social media instead of official channels.

Governor Fubara, through the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Tammy Danagogo, had invited the lawmakers for a meeting at the Government House on Monday. The discussion was expected to cover key issues such as providing a sitting space for the Assembly, payment of outstanding allowances, and the presentation of the 2025 budget.

However, the 27 lawmakers loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike have insisted they will not honor the invitation unless the governor properly communicates with them. One of the lawmakers, Isaiah Opuende, representing Akuku-Toru Constituency 2, criticized the manner in which the invitation was sent.

“It is time for us to determine our ‘dey’. When the ‘dey your dey’ started, our principal said the time for our own ‘dey your dey’ would come. Now, our ‘dey your dey’ has come,” Opuende stated. “How can you wire a letter and post it on social media and expect us to honor it? You know we are not kids. The governor should properly write to the Assembly. That’s all. Thank you.”

In a viral video, some former local government chairmen who served during Wike’s tenure were seen mocking Fubara’s invitation. Among them was the former chairman of Ikwerre Local Government, Dr. Samuel Nwanosike, who led a group in a song ridiculing the governor’s request.

Supreme Court Ruling and Legislative Demands

Following the Supreme Court judgment affirming their legitimacy, the lawmakers held their first sitting and demanded that Governor Fubara present the 2025 budget and submit nominees for commissioner positions. They argued that those currently serving in the cabinet lacked legal authority. The Assembly also summoned the chairman and commissioners of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to appear before them on Monday.

However, the requests were ignored, with the state Commissioner for Information, Joseph Johnson, stating that the government was awaiting the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the Supreme Court judgment before taking action. The CTC was eventually released on Thursday and widely published in national dailies on Friday.

In response, SSG Danagogo formally invited the lawmakers for a meeting with Governor Fubara, stating that it was necessary to discuss key governance matters. His letter to Speaker Amaewhule highlighted the governor’s willingness to engage with the Assembly following the receipt of the Supreme Court judgment.

The letter read, “I hereby write in furtherance of His Excellency’s promise stated in my letter dated 5 March 2025 to notify you that His Excellency has received the Supreme Court judgment, and has, therefore, directed me to invite you and your colleagues—the honourable members of the Rivers State House of Assembly—to a meeting to discuss:

Provision of a befitting space for the Assembly’s sittings.

Payment of all outstanding remuneration or allowances of the honourable members.

Presentation of the budget and other relevant matters.

Any other necessary discussions to chart the way forward in the best interest of the state.”

Despite this attempt at reconciliation, the invitation coincided with the expiration of the 72-hour ultimatum given to the RSIEC chairman to appear before the Assembly. Speaker Amaewhule had also noted during a plenary session that Governor Fubara had failed to forward the names of commissioner nominees for screening.

APC Reacts to Fubara’s Invitation

The invitation was welcomed by the Tony Okocha-led faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as well as the Emeka Beke-led faction loyal to former Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi.

APC’s state Publicity Secretary, Chibuike Ikenga, said in a phone interview that the move was a step toward resolving the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State.

“Our position as a party is that whatever will bring lasting peace to Rivers State is what we support,” Ikenga stated. “The two sides—the executive and the legislature—should make all these overtures to build confidence, which will lead to a final resolution of this crisis.”

Similarly, the Chief of Staff to the Beke-led APC, Chizi Entire, described the development as a win-win situation, commending the governor for showing commitment to implementing the Supreme Court judgment.

“The letter written by the governor to the Assembly shows that he is a man who believes in the rule of law and is willing to stand by his words. This is the first move to ensure orderliness in the state,” he said. “The governor sees that the people matter, not just him. Making peace with the lawmakers is the best thing he can achieve for now. Once that is done, the state can move forward.”

Ex-Local Government Chairmen Condemn Political Threats

Meanwhile, former local government chairmen from Ijaw-dominated areas in Rivers State have condemned threats by non-state actors regarding the ongoing political crisis. Some groups had warned of potential disruptions to oil production if Governor Fubara was impeached.

The ex-council bosses, who had previously campaigned for Fubara, urged security agencies to enforce the Supreme Court judgment and ensure peace in the state. They criticized certain groups for using ethnic identity to fuel tension, specifically calling out the Ijaw National Congress and some members of the Ijaw Youth Council.

“It is unfortunate that some individuals and organizations, who are benefiting from the crisis, are using the Ijaw identity to threaten the Federal Government,” they stated. “We condemn those empty threats and urge Nigerians to disregard such comments that portray the Ijaws in a bad light.”

The former chairmen also questioned the loyalty of those opposing the Supreme Court’s ruling, noting that they had remained silent when Governor Fubara allegedly withheld local government allocations and salaries of lawmakers.

“Where were these people when the governor truncated the tenure of local government chairmen and seized their allocations, including those of us who are fellow Ijaws? Where were they when he stopped the salaries of the Assembly members and attempted to use the courts to impeach them?” they queried.

The ex-council bosses reassured Nigerians that they would mobilize support to protect oil installations in their communities, urging Governor Fubara to comply with the Supreme Court’s decision.

“As everyone is aware, impeachment is a constitutional process in a presidential system of government. The Ijaws should ensure that their beloved son (Fubara) does not engage in any act that could lead to his removal from office,” they stated.