“Rivers Assembly Speaker Slams Fubara After Supreme Court Affirms Legitimacy of 27 Lawmakers”

The factional Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Martins Amaewhule, has reacted strongly to the Supreme Court’s dismissal of Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s appeal, declaring that the “end of Fubara’s rascality” is drawing near.

In a statement released by his Special Assistant on Media, Martins Wachukwu, Amaewhule recalled that the Federal High Court, led by Justice J.K. Omotosho, had ruled on January 22, 2024, affirming the legitimacy of the 27 lawmakers. Despite this ruling, Governor Fubara appealed the decision to the Court of Appeal, where the lower court’s judgement was upheld. Fubara then took the case to the Supreme Court, which finally dismissed the appeal.

Amaewhule criticized Governor Fubara for withholding statutory entitlements from the Assembly for nearly a year, suggesting that the governor had hoped to starve the lawmakers into submission. He expressed that the Supreme Court’s ruling has renewed the lawmakers’ faith in the judiciary.

He also accused Fubara of consistently ignoring court orders and warned that the governor’s actions were under intense scrutiny following the Supreme Court’s verdict. “The end to this rascality is very near,” Amaewhule said, emphasizing the Assembly’s commitment to fulfilling its mandate given by the people of Rivers State.

According to Amaewhule, Governor Fubara has been using taxpayers’ money for nearly a year without the proper appropriation, despite multiple court rulings, including those of the Federal High Court and Court of Appeal. He pointed to an injunction issued by Justice Omotosho that barred Fubara from withholding funds meant for the Assembly as further evidence of the governor’s constitutional violations.

Amaewhule praised the Supreme Court’s five-man panel for delivering justice and reaffirming the rule of law, adding, “The Supreme Court has spoken, and the people of Rivers State are elated with this judgment.”

Additionally, he thanked political leaders in Rivers State, particularly Chief Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), for their unwavering support for the Assembly throughout the ordeal.

Amaewhule also noted that, due to absenteeism, one former member of the Assembly had passed away, another had absconded from duty, and three seats had been declared vacant. He called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to organize elections to fill these vacant positions.

With the Supreme Court’s decision now in place, all eyes are on Governor Fubara to see whether he will comply with the ruling or continue to disregard the law.