Rivers Crisis: Tension As Pro-Wike Lawmakers Overrides Fubara, Sign 3 Bills into Law
- The Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, has signed three bills into laws
- the 20 lawmakers, loyal to FCT minister Nyesom Wike took this action on Thursday, a few days after Rivers governor, Siminialayi Fubara, stated that the Victor Oko-Jumbo-led Assembly remains the authentic one
- Speaker Amaewhule justified the decision by citing Section 100(5) of the Nigerian Constitution, stating that the legislature had the authority to override the governor’s rejection of the bills
TheTalk.NG journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.
The Speaker Martins Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly on Thursday, January 9, has enacted three laws in the state, bypassing the assent of the state governor, Siminialayi Fubara.
Speaker Amaewhule criticized Governor Fubara for allegedly prioritizing personal interests over the constitutional duties of governance, which hindered progress in the state.
The three Bills, were earlier passed and transmitted to Governor Fubara for assent over a month ago. The House took the decision to override the Governor after he withheld his assent to the Bills.
The lawmakers justified their action and insisted they were in line with Section 100(5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, and in furtherance of legislative positivism in the interest of the Rivers people.
As reported by The Nation, the bills are the Rivers State Education (Return of Schools) (Amendment) Bill, the Rivers Electricity Market Bill, and the Rivers State Commissions of Inquiry Bill 2024.
Amaewhule’s special assistant, media, Martins Wachukwu, confirmed this in a statement on Thursday.
The majority leader of the House, Major Jack, re-presented the bills, which were debated by members on Thursday.
Amaewhule cited Section 100(5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as the enabling provision that empowered the House to override the governor where he withheld his assent.
Amaewhule emphasized that Fubara could not hold back the state as “a result of his indolence and ineptitude”, insisting that the state must move forward.
TheTalk.NG understands that Fubara and Nyesom Wike are at loggerheads over the control of Rivers state, and the rift has led to a division and faction within the state’s House of Assembly.
Read more about Rivers crisis here:
Fubara speaks about Rivers crisis
Meanwhile, Governor Fubara has expressed confidence in his leadership amid the ongoing political tension with his predecessor, Wike.
Speaking at the Christmas Ballad hosted by Odili, Fubara emphasised his growing strength, saying he draws inspiration from the unwavering support of the people of Rivers state.
Source: TheTalk.NG
