The ongoing political crisis in Rivers State appears to be de-escalating as Governor Siminalayi Fubara has extended an invitation to the 27 embattled members of the State House of Assembly for talks. This move comes as part of an effort to prioritize the state’s welfare.
In a letter issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, directed to the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, the governor’s invitation is in compliance with the recent Supreme Court ruling concerning the political crisis in the state.
The Supreme Court’s ruling, delivered last Monday, instructed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant General of the Federation to withhold any funds from the Federation Account until the Rivers State Assembly passes an appropriation law. The ruling also mandated that Martins Amaewhule and the 26 other lawmakers resume sittings immediately.
Justice Emmanuel Agim, who gave the lead judgment, criticized Governor Fubara’s interference with the affairs of the assembly, stating that there was no justification for his actions.
Additionally, the Supreme Court nullified the October 5, 2024, local government elections in Rivers State, upholding a previous judgment by the Federal High Court in Abuja. This decision had barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing the voters’ register for the elections, which were deemed to violate electoral laws.
In response to the judgment, the Rivers State House of Assembly issued a 48-hour ultimatum for the governor to present the 2025 appropriation bill. Governor Fubara, though expressing disagreement with the judgment, vowed to comply fully with the Supreme Court’s ruling, stating that his administration upholds the law.
To comply with the ruling, Fubara has also ordered that the Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) take over the governance of the 23 local government areas until fresh elections are held by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
While emphasizing his commitment to the rule of law, Fubara assured that his legal team would review the implications of the judgment. Following this, he invited the lawmakers for a meeting on March 10, 2025, to discuss a way forward. The letter outlined the meeting’s agenda, which included matters such as providing a suitable space for Assembly sittings, addressing members’ remunerations, and presenting the state budget.
The meeting is scheduled to take place at the governor’s office in Port Harcourt, with hopes of resolving the political tensions and moving forward for the benefit of the people of Rivers State.
Meanwhile, there has been significant backlash from some members of the Ijaw ethnic group, particularly former chairmen of Ijaw-dominated local government areas. These leaders have condemned what they call empty threats of violence by non-state actors, warning that such threats are an unjustified response to the Supreme Court ruling. Some Ijaw groups had threatened to disrupt oil production in the state if Governor Fubara is impeached.
Former chairmen of Ijaw-dominated local governments, including Daniel O. Daniel (Abua/Odual), Dr. Rowland C. Sekibo (Akuku Toru), and Dr. Erastus C. Awortu (Andoni), have strongly denounced these threats. They stress that these actions have no basis in the Supreme Court’s decision, which did not call for the governor’s impeachment. These leaders also called on the federal government and the public to disregard the threats, emphasizing that they do not represent the views of all Ijaw people.
Despite these tensions, the Ijaw leaders expressed relief that the Supreme Court ruling had brought an end to the crisis, urging the federal government to take action against the individuals instigating violence.
