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The political drama playing out in the oil-rich Rivers state took another dimension Sunday as Governor Siminalayi Fubara appears to have bowed by inviting the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly to a meeting.
The invitation to the lawmakers was via a letter issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo, a copy of which was obtained by Blueprint in Port Harcourt.
The communication, addressed to the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule was titled “Meeting Between the Governor of Rivers State and the Honourable Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.”
Danagogo said the meeting, scheduled for Monday, March 10, 2025, at 10.am, became necessary following the governor’s receipt of the Certified True Copy of the Supreme Court judgement.
The letter stated that discussions would centre around the need to provide a space for the lawmakers to hold their sittings, as well as the presentation of the 2025 budget, among other matters.
“I hereby write, in furtherance of His Excellency’s promise stated in my letter dated 5 March 2025, to notify you that His Excellency has received the Supreme Court judgement and has therefore directed me to invite you and your colleagues — the Honourable members of the Rivers State House of Assembly — to a meeting to discuss:
“Provision of a befitting space for the Assembly’s sittings, payment of all outstanding remuneration or allowances of the Honourable members;
“Presentation of Budget and sundry matters. Any other matter(s), as may be necessary, to chart the way forward in the best interest of the State.
“Sequel to the above, I hereby humbly invite the Rt. Hon. Speaker and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to a meeting with the Governor as follows,” the letter read in part.
“Many thanks, Sir, as we look forward to your kind attendance with a view to charting the way forward in the interest of the good people of Rivers State,” the SSG concluded.
…Lawmaker dismisses invitation
However, in a viral video, a state lawmaker was seen dismissing the governor’s olive branch, saying it was time for the governor to “dey his dey” (be on his own) while the lawmakers would do the same.
The lawmaker, Lolo Isiah Opuende, representing Akuku-Toru Constituency 2, said they had been forewarned that a time would come the two parties (Fubara and the pro-Wike lawmakers)would go their separate ways.
While faulting the invite, Opuende said: “How can you write a letter for the House of Assembly and put it on social media and expect us to come. The governor should write us the proper way.”
…RVSIEC chair, commissioners summoned
In a related development, the Rivers State House of Assembly has resolved to give another opportunity to the Chairman and Commissioners of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission to appear before the House to explain the Commission’s actions and inactions in the purported conduct of the ill-fated 5th October, 2024 Local Government Elections in the State.
A statement by the media aide to the Speaker, Martins Wachukwu, described the October 5, 2024 local government election in the state as unbudgeted expenditures, and requested the RVSIEC to further furnish the House where the commission expects to generate funds to conduct its proposed August 9 local government election.
It said: “House reached the resolution after the Leader of the House, Hon. Major Jack, under statement by the Leader, informed the House that the letters inviting the Chairman and Commissioners of the Commission and the ones calling the attention of Governor Siminialayi Fubara to present the 2025 Appropriation Bill, and his infractions on the Constitution were duly delivered and publicised; but regretted that neither the Governor nor the Chairman and his Commissioners honoured the call.
“Debating on the information, members spoke glowingly of the integrity of the Chairman, Justice Adolphus Enebeli, being a retired Judge of the Rivers State High Court, and urged the House to give him another opportunity to appear before the House.
“While commenting on the information before putting the question, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, said the House has taken Legislative notice of the refusal of Governor Fubara to present the 2025 Appropriation Bill, and the submission of the list of Commissioner nominees to the House; adding that the House will address it squarely at the appropriate time.”
The statement also said when Amaewhule put the question to the lawmakers, the House voted in the affirmative, directing the Clerk of the House to, again, invite the Chairman and Commissioners of the Commission to appear before the House Monday, 10th March, 2025.
It, however, said the House will have no other option than to invoke the spirit and letters of Section 129 (1) (d) of the Constitution, if the Chairman and his Commissioners fail to appear before it on Monday.
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