- Assembly sacks Rivers commissioners, political appointees
- Lawmakers summon electoral chief over LG poll
- You’re overstepping your bounds, heating up polity, Commissioner dares lawmakers
- IYC beats drums of war, vows to resist moves to impeach Fubara
The political crisis in Rivers State seems to enter a final war mode with both the Governor Sim Fubara camp and the Martins Amaewhule-led Assembly camp ready for final showdown.
This is because the Rivers State House of Assembly, dominated by allies of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has intensified actions that could lead to the impeachment of Governor Fubara.
The Speaker of the House, Martins Amaewhule, on Wednesday, issued a letter to the governor, demanding the removal of 19 commissioners and political appointees who were not screened by the Assembly.
The Speaker also requested a fresh list of nominees for proper screening.
In the letter, signed by Amaewhule, the governor was accused of making “illegal appointments” without legislative approval, in violation of the 1999 Constitution and other relevant laws.
The development marks the latest escalation in the political crisis between Governor Fubara and the Assembly, which has seen increasing tensions over appointments and governance in the state.
Amaewhule specifically frowned at the inability of the Governor to forward the name of Dagogo Iboroma for screening as Attorney general and Commissioner of Justice in the state, stating that such appointment contravenes section 192 (2) and (5) as well as section 195 (1) of the 1999 constitution as amended.
The letter, however, requested that the Governor should submit a list of nominees for appointment as commissioners into the Rivers state executive council as well as a list of nominees for appointments to fill vacancies in all the offices within 48 hours.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Environment, Sydney Tambari, responded that the 27 lawmakers were acting on the stigma of their imagination, adding that they were overstepping their bounds and heating up the polity even more.
Tambari explained that all the Commissioners were screened by the then Speaker of the House of Assembly, Edison Ehie, now Chief of Staff, Government House, who was recognized by the competent court of the land as the authentic speaker of the House.
According to the former publicity secretary of the People’s Democratic Party in the state, “I was screened by Edison Ehie who was duly recognized by the court as the speaker of the state House of Assembly. Before then, this group of people had defected from the PDP and went wherever they went.
He said “After Edison Ehie’s resignation, “Rt. Hon Victor Oko-Jumbo took over as speaker of the House and he screened and confirmed some of the commissioners and appointees”, adding that the Governor cannot send any fresh list of nominees to this Assembly.
“Their demand for the sacking of the commissioners has been overtaken by event because all the commissioners and political appointees were duly screened. The Governor has no reason to send a list of nominees to them.”
Tambari took a swipe at the lawmakers when he said that they were acting outside the decision of the Supreme Court which talked about the 2024 budget and “not to come and sack commissioners and political appointees in the state.
“The presentation of the budget is at the discretion of the Governor which has since been overtaken by events,” he said.
This tension in the state was also heightened marked by the threat and stern warning by the Rivers State House of Assembly to the Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, Justice Adolphus Enebeli (rtd), to arrest him if he fails to appear before the House by Friday, March 7, 2025.
This development followed after a motion moved by a member, Enemi George, representing Asari-Toru Constituency 2, during plenary.
The electoral chief had earlier fixed August 9, 2025, to conduct a fresh Local Government poll in the state following a Supreme Court verdict that annulled the October 5, 2024 local government poll conducted in the state.
RSIEC Chairman, Justice Adolphus Enebeli (rtd), announced the new date during a stakeholders’ meeting on Wednesday.
Enebeli explained that the decision was in compliance with last Friday’s Supreme Court judgment, which voided the October 5, 2024, local government elections conducted by the commission.
He stated, “In exercise of the powers conferred on the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission by Section 5 of the RSIEC Law No. 2 of 2018, and all other enabling provisions, the commission hereby provides guidelines for political parties, stipulating rules and procedures for electioneering campaigns.
“The commission, therefore, announces that local government council elections will be held on Saturday, August 9, 2025, in all 23 local government areas of Rivers State.”
The fresh election comes amid heightened political tension in the state following the Supreme Court’s ruling, which rendered the tenure of previously elected local government officials invalid.
However, the Martins Amaewhule-led Assembly said it would probe the conduct of the electoral chief in office regarding the conduct of the annulled LG poll last year.
IYC beats drums of war, vows to resist moves to impeach Fubara
Meanwhile, the umbrella body of Ijaw youths worldwide, the Ijaw Youth Council, has joined forces with other Ijaw groups in their threats to make Rivers State ungovernable if Governor Fubara is impeached.
In a strongly worded statement, the youth body warned that the Ijaws will not stand idly by and watch political and ethnic gimmicks unfold in Rivers State with the sole intent of truncating the administration of Governor Fubara, an illustrious son of the Ijaw nation.
The statement, signed by its spokesman, Binebai Princewill, said that while the Ijaws are not interfering with the judiciary and the ongoing political events, they are, however, issuing a stern warning that the Ijaw people will not tolerate any move to impeach Fubara, adding that he must be allowed to complete his tenure.
While warning that “A word to the wise is sufficient,” it stated that President Bola Tinubu should be made aware that whatever happens in Rivers State is not the fault of the Ijaw people.
It further warned that, as Ijaw people, they are unfazed by any consequences if anyone attempts to impeach Governor Fubara.
The statement read, “We have been preaching peace since the beginning of this political battle. Fubara has yet to complete two years in office and has already been subjected to unnecessary political battles and distractions.
“For the Ijaw people, this goes beyond mere politics; it has taken an ethnic dimension. We will not allow any ethnic group in Rivers State to hijack and truncate our Ijaw tenure. This is a fight we are prepared to wage with every fiber of our being. The Ijaw Youth Council stands fully in line with the Ijaw National Congress (INC) on this matter.
“The Ijaw struggle for liberation in the Nigerian State led to the creation of Rivers State in 1967. It is no secret that the economic viability of the state is entirely dependent on Ijaw areas. Our people have sacrificed by uniting everyone in the state, supporting governors from other ethnic groups until this moment when an Ijaw son, Governor Fubara, now leads.
“It is important to acknowledge the 24 years of political dominance in Rivers State, from Peter Odili to Celestine Omehia to Rotimi Amaechi to Wike. It is unjustifiable to fight a man for developing his state. The Ijaws are both the political and economic lifeblood of Rivers State. Throughout these past years of political dominance by the Ikwerre people, the Ijaws have consistently supported each governor. The Ijaws will not compromise on Fubara’s governorship in Rivers.
“There is no way the Ijaw people can view this as anything but an ethnic battle when each governor from other ethnic groups in Rivers State has ruled peacefully for the past 24 years without this kind of conspiracy, fighting, and political manipulation. This is our turn, and we will not allow anyone or a group of persons to abridge our tenure.
“People cannot hide under the guise of the judiciary or politics to undermine democracy and punish perceived political enemies. Rivers State is a multi-ethnic state, and what was not done when other ethnic groups were in power cannot be allowed to happen when an Ijaw, a major ethnic group, is in charge. As Ijaw people, we are unfazed by any consequences if anyone attempts to impeach Governor Fubara.
“Why is it so difficult for undemocratic elements to allow Fubara to continue his uncommon progressive transformational administration in Rivers State? It is high time people realize that Governor Fubara is not alone in this fight.”
Governor Siminalayi Fubara had earlier assured the people of Rivers State that his administration would implement the Supreme Court’s verdict after reviewing the Certified True Copy of the judgment. He confirmed that his legal team expects to obtain the CTC by Friday, March 7, 2025.
Fubara emphasized his commitment to upholding constitutional principles and directed Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) to oversee the 23 local government councils until the fresh elections are conducted.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court, in a separate judgment, barred the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Accountant General of the Federation, and other agencies from releasing funds to the Rivers State Government due to alleged disobedience of court orders.
The court also dismissed Governor Fubara’s appeal challenging the legitimacy of the Rivers State House of Assembly under Speaker Martin Amaewhule. The ruling directed Amaewhule and his members to resume legislative activities immediately.
