Rivers crisis: Enough is enough!

The recent Supreme Court ruling on the Rivers State political crisis was expected to restore order in the oil-producing state. The apex court ruled on several issues. Five are germane to peace and governance in the state. First, the court ordered Governor Siminalayi Fubara to recognise the Martin Amaewhule-led group of 27 lawmakers as the legitimate members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. This decision was based on the court’s finding that these legislators had not defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), as alleged.

Secondly, the court condemned the governor’s actions that effectively sidelined the legislature, emphasising that governance cannot function without all three arms of government. It directed the reinstatement of the legislature’s full authority. Thirdly, Governor Fubara was instructed to present the 2024 and 2025 state budgets to the full House of Assembly for proper legislative approval. The court declared the previous budget presentations to a small fraction of lawmakers as unconstitutional. Fourthly, the court criticised the governor for demolishing the Rivers State House of Assembly complex and described it as a contravention of the separation of powers. It ordered an end to such actions. Another decision was the declaration that the local council elections conducted on October 5, 2024 was invalid and that a fresh election should be organised.

As a sign of obeying the Supreme Court’s ruling, Governor Fubara has sacked all the local government chairmen and councillors elected in the October elections. He has also written to the House of Assembly for a meeting to mend fences to move the state forward. However, the House has dangled the Sword of Damocles over Fubara, demanding his resignation or face impeachment. The lawmakers and the All Progressives Congress (APC) chapter in Rivers State perceive the Supreme Court ruling as a licence to decapitate the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leadership in the state. It is contradictory that the lawmakers described as bonafide PDP members have aligned with the APC to threaten Fubara, a PDP governor, with impeachment.

Just yesterday, the lawmakers locked the gates of the state House of Assembly to prevent Fubara from presenting the contentious budget for scrutiny.

Even though, the Supreme Court ruling is a victory for the political faction led by former Governor Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), however, the game of hypocrisy in the name of the power struggle in Rivers State is not healthy for the development of the state. The chaos has endured for about two years now, and unless a political solution is fashioned without delay, the Supreme Court ruling will be in vain. This is because social-cultural groups in the state who sympathise with Governor Fubara as a victim of political machinations have threatened to engage in activities that could breach the peace of Rivers State if Fubara is removed under the guise of impeachment.

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It is time for all the actors in the Rivers crisis to bury their pride and put an end to the political instability. Therefore, we call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to initiate a political solution by prevailing on former Governor Wike to take the path of peace instead of confrontation with Governor Fubara. Fubara has begun to make concessions in line with the Supreme Court ruling. He has written to the House of Assembly, called for a fence-mending meeting. The governor must ensure the full participation of all lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly for effective governance. This includes providing a proper meeting space and addressing outstanding allowances. We call on the House of Assembly to reciprocate these positive steps the governor took by treading on the path of peace and reconciliation instead of further escalation, such as impeachment threats.

The Rivers State House of Assembly members, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, have criticised the governor for using informal channels, such as social media, to extend the invitation, which they found disrespectful and unprofessional.  This insistence on due process reflects their broader dissatisfaction with the governor’s approach to governance and their perception of his disregard for the rule of law. 

Beyond the statement by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that Governor Fubara should go and implement the Supreme Court judgement, we call on President Tinubu and all stakeholders in Rivers State to step into the crisis. They should rein in the House of Assembly leadership, the governor and former Governor Wike, for peace to reign. Rivers State must not burn to satisfy the pleasure of a few political titans.