Following the recent reinstatement of democratic institutions in Rivers State, the state House of Assembly has wasted no time in reasserting its legislative authority. The Assembly, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, has issued a clear directive to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, demanding that he immediately submit a new list of commissioner nominees and prepare to present the state’s budget.
This move marks the official resumption of the political standoff that led to a six-month state of emergency in Rivers State. The Assembly’s demands are a direct echo of the events that precipitated the crisis earlier this year.
Key Demands of the Assembly
The directive, issued during a plenary session, focused on two critical areas of governance that had been at the heart of the conflict:
- Commissioner Nominees: The Assembly has instructed Governor Fubara to forward a fresh list of nominees for his cabinet. The lawmakers are insisting on their constitutional right to screen and confirm all appointments. This demand stems from the previous disagreement where the Assembly, loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike, accused Fubara of unlawfully swearing in commissioners without due legislative process. The Assembly has declared that the appointments made during the period of the political crisis are null and void.
- Presentation of the State Budget: The Assembly has also called on the governor to immediately prepare and present the state’s appropriation bill for legislative consideration. The state of emergency had prevented the legal passage of a new budget, leading to significant financial and administrative paralysis. The Amaewhule-led House is stressing the urgency of this process to unfreeze the state’s accounts and allow for the implementation of developmental projects.
Political Implications
The Assembly’s actions are widely seen as a calculated move to establish its authority and test the terms of the political reconciliation brokered by President Bola Tinubu. While the reinstatement of the Governor and the Assembly signals a return to constitutional rule, the underlying power struggle between Governor Fubara and Minister Wike remains unresolved.
The Speaker’s swift demands highlight that the Wike-allied lawmakers are not backing down from their previous positions. The move places Governor Fubara in a difficult position, as he must now either comply with the Assembly’s directives or risk reigniting a political conflict that could once again grind the state’s governance to a halt.
Analysts believe the coming weeks will be crucial for the political future of Rivers State. Fubara’s response to the Assembly’s directives will determine whether the peace is lasting or merely a temporary truce. The focus will be on whether the two factions can work together to serve the people of the state or if the cycle of political infighting will continue.
