Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara dismissed concerns over potential perpetrators following the Supreme Court decision on Friday.
Naija News reports that the Apex court ruling significantly changed the state’s political landscape and ordered the federal government to withhold financial allocations to the river until Fubara complied with instructions to present the state’s budget to Pro-Wike Lawmakers, led by Martins Amaewhule. Additionally, the court overridden local government elections held by the Hubara government last year.
The ruling effectively handed over the legislative arm to the preferential lawmakers, escalating the ongoing power struggle between Hubara and his former political leader, Waik.
Political tensions and power struggles
Since October 2023, the Rivers State Assembly has been significantly divided, with 27 lawmakers supporting Wike and the other four remained loyal to Fubara.
The first attempt at each of the Provike facts against Fabara led to violent conflicts, including bombing the parliamentary complex. In response, Hubara ignored 27 lawmakers and presented the 2024 and 2025 budgets to the four councillors loyal to him.
However, the Supreme Court declared Hubara’s case illegal and directed the budget to be submitted to the lawmakers of the Cherry Blossom.
Despite this ruling, Rivers State Information and Communications Commissioner Joseph Johnson dismissed the fear of each, claiming that the governor holds the mandate of the river people.
“What are you afraid of? The governor is on his toes and has the orders of the people of the river. He follows the law and respects the sanctity of the law,” Johnson told Punch.
He further revealed that he is waiting for a certified, true copy of the ruling before the government decides its next course of action.
“We can’t say if we implement it or not. We see what the judgement is saying, evaluate it and act accordingly,” Johnson said.
He also reiterated the government’s stance that Amaewhule and 26 other pro-wife lawmakers lost their legislative seats after their defection from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Rivers’ elders reject a call to reconcile with Wike
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Elders Forum advised Fubara not to seek a settlement between Wike and 27 lawmakers despite an unfavourable Supreme Court decision.
On behalf of the elders, senior official Sarah Igbe, national coordinator of the South South Elders Forum, insisted that Rivers State would not succumb to political pressure.
“The Rivers State cannot succumb to anyone who wants to take over the state. No one can ask about this issue,” Sarah Igg said.
When asked whether the elders would advise Fabara to soothe Wyke and the lawmakers, Sarah Ig replied firmly, “We won’t.”
Local government acquisition standoffs
Additionally, former local government chairs can try to regain their position, faithfully following the sorting.
Before taking office, Wike’s loyalty in Congress bypassed Fubara’s authority and extended the tenure of local government chairs by six months. However, Hubara appointed a caretaker committee to oversee the council, leading to violent clashes in multiple local government offices.
Former Ikwerre LGA president Dr. Samuel Nwanosike argued that he and his colleagues would await a Congressional order upon their return.
“With the Supreme Court decision on October 11, 2024, I remain the chairman of the Ikwerre LGA. But we will wait for the Rivers State House to declare it,” Nuwanoshike said.
