Rivers crisis: Fubara plotting to destroy Assembly quarters

Governor Siminalayi Fubara has been charged by Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly Martin Amaewhule of plotting to destroy the State Assembly buildings.

The Speaker also issued a warning, emphasizing that the Governor has no authority over the legislature because the House of Assembly was established by the Constitution and that its members will not back down from their continued passage of bills promoting effective state government.

Shortly after Governor Fubara visited the quarters with a retinue of aides and security officers before departing to supervise a road project nearby on Thursday, Amaewhule raised the alarm while speaking to reporters in Port Harcourt.

During the visit, Governor Fubara stated that he was considering renovating the building to make it more livable for the newly elected House leadership in light of the election of a new speaker of the state Assembly.

Recall that on Wednesday, Victor Oko-Jumbo, a supporter of the governor, emerged as the factional Speaker. Sokari Goodboy, a supporter of the governor, was elected as the factional House leader, and Dr. G.M. Gillis-West as the factional Clerk of the Assembly.

Amaewhule, however, chastised the governor, claiming that he stormed the building without the lawmakers’ knowledge.

He stated, “Rivers were stunned today when Governor Fubara stormed the House of Assembly quarters with another attempt to demolish the premises.

“Nigerians and Rivers people are watching day by day as the governor, who is supposed to uphold the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and extant laws of the state, is now the chief lawbreaker of Nigeria.”.

The House of Assembly quarters, according to Amaewhule, are among the best in Nigeria and were constructed by Nyesom Wike, the former governor of Rivers State.

“The quarters were commissioned by the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, now Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, in 2022,” he added.

The Speaker conveyed dissatisfaction over the Governor’s excessive meddling, pointing out that the Rivers State House of Assembly quarters were designed for Assembly members, not the Executive Arm, and that the Governor’s acts were inappropriate for a Chief Executive in office who is expected to protect the rule of law.

“We are ashamed to have a governor who has no respect for our Constitution, laws, or democracy. Indeed, our governor is an assault on our democracy,” Amaewhule said.

He said that the governor had brought thugs to his official residence the previous year and that they have now broken the back gate and leaped through the fence to enter the Assembly members’ official residence.

Amaewhule further charged that the governor intended to destroy the House of Assembly’s property—which was erected with public funds—without telling the members.

He claimed that while other governors were searching for methods to enhance the quality of life for their citizens, Governor Fubara was occupied with finding buildings to destroy, adding that he had nothing to show for his efforts other than demolishing the works of previous governors.