The Rivers State Government has raised concerns over the state’s uncertain and potentially gloomy future, blaming the obstructive actions of the Hon. Martins Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly for the political instability plaguing the state.
According to the government, the Assembly’s continued uncooperative stance has made it difficult to fully implement the Supreme Court’s ruling on the prolonged crisis that has engulfed Rivers politics since late 2023.
The concerns were voiced on Monday in Port Harcourt, shortly after the State House of Assembly issued a notice of gross misconduct against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, a move widely seen as a renewed attempt to destabilize the state’s leadership.
Government Accuses Assembly of Blocking Supreme Court Ruling Implementation
Addressing a press conference, Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Joseph Johnson, condemned the actions of the Assembly, stating that it was deliberately frustrating the enforcement of the Supreme Court’s February 28, 2025, judgment, which addressed key issues in the ongoing political and legal battle in the state.
He said:
“It is now common knowledge that members of the Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly have, by their actions, refused to allow the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir (Dr.) Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, to fully implement the Supreme Court’s judgment on the prolonged political and legal battle that began after the failed impeachment attempt against him on October 30, 2023.”
Johnson further reaffirmed Governor Fubara’s dedication to peace, governance, and the well-being of the people, stressing that despite persistent hostilities from political adversaries, the governor remains focused on delivering his developmental agenda for the state.
“Since this unjustified onslaught against Governor Fubara began, he has remained steadfast in his commitment to peace, determined to put the people of Rivers State first, and has continued to extend a hand of cooperation to all stakeholders in the state,” he added.
Supreme Court Ruling and Key Political Disputes
The Commissioner revisited the Supreme Court’s judgment, which addressed multiple contentious issues, including:
The suspension of the state’s federation revenue allocation.
The nullification of the October 5, 2024, local government elections.
The directive to re-present the 2025 state budget to the Amaewhule-led Assembly.
Despite some aspects of the ruling being unfavorable to the governor, particularly the Supreme Court’s unexpected comments on the highly debated defection issue, Johnson insisted that Governor Fubara remains committed to implementing the judgment in its entirety.
“Despite the unfavorable aspects of the Supreme Court’s ruling—particularly its unexpected position on the contentious defection issue, which was never formally before the court—Governor Fubara has remained committed to fully implementing the ruling, no matter the challenges,” he stated.
Political Tensions and the Future of Rivers State
The ongoing political impasse between Governor Fubara’s administration and the Amaewhule-led State Assembly has continued to raise concerns among stakeholders and residents of Rivers State. The heightened tensions, particularly over governance and resource control, have led to speculation about the long-term stability of the state.
Political analysts argue that the House of Assembly’s insistence on challenging the governor could further stall key developmental projects, disrupt governance, and create a climate of uncertainty for the people of the state.
Meanwhile, Governor Fubara’s allies and supporters have urged all political actors to put the interests of the state above personal and political considerations, warning that the continued power tussle could hinder progress and economic growth.
As Rivers State stands at a critical crossroads, the next few weeks will be decisive in determining whether the state’s leadership can navigate the crisis and restore political stability for the benefit of its people.
