PARIS OLYMPIC GAMES
Peace may be on the horizon in Rivers State as Governor Siminalayi Fubara extends an olive branch to the Amaewhule-led members of the House of Assembly, inviting them to a meeting on Sunday.
This gesture could mark the beginning of the end of the state’s lingering political crisis, which has been characterized by a bitter power struggle between Fubara and his former ally, Nyesom Wike, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
This was contained in a letter issued in Port Harcourt on Sunday by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo.
The letter, addressed to Speaker Martin Amaewhule, is titled, “Meeting Between the Governor of Rivers State and the Honourable Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.”
Danagogo said the meeting, set for 10 am on Monday, March 10, 2025, at the Government House, Port Harcourt, was prompted by the Governor’s receipt of the Certified True Copy of the Supreme Court judgement.
The letter outlined the agenda for the meeting, highlighting key discussion points such as securing a venue for lawmakers loyal to Minister Nyesom Wike to convene, presenting the 2025 budget, and addressing other pertinent issues.
The statement reatd: “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.
“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.”
Persecondnews reported that the power struggle in the Rivers State House of Assembly was resolved on February 28, after the Supreme Court ordered the Amaewhule faction and other elected members to immediately resume legislative duties without obstruction.
The court also declared the October 5, 2024, local government election in Rivers State, won by the All People’s Party (APP), as invalid, illegal, null and void.
The crisis in Rivers State began when Gov. Fubara stopped working with 27 lawmakers, including Amaewhule in December 2023, following their defection from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He presented the 2024 budget to a faction of the House led by Edison Ehie, on December 13, 2023.
Upon resuming duty on Monday, March 3, 2025, the House ordered Gov. Fubara to resubmit the appropriation bill within 48 hours.
It equally issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the chairman and commissioners of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to appear before it, and later extended the deadline by an additional 24 hours to 72 hours after the initial timeframe expired.
The House also directed Gov. Fubara to sack all his commissioners and appointees and submit a new list to the house for screening.
In response to the ultimatum, the government claimed on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, that it had not received an official letter from the Assembly.
The government said: “As at the close of work on Tuesday, 4th March, 2025, we are yet to receive the said letter. Neither the office of the governor nor the deputy governor’s office, nor the office of the Accountant-General of the state has received the the said letter.”
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