Rivers Gov. Siminalayi Fubara’s fate is hanging in the balance after Tony Okocha, the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, publicly demanded his resignation.
Okocha gave Fubara a 48-hour ultimatum to step down or face impeachment proceedings, citing the governor’s alleged disrespect towards President Bola Tinubu and breaches of constitutional duties.
According to Okocha, Fubara’s invitation to the 27 lawmakers was a “Greek gift,” implying it was a manipulative gesture. Okocha declared that the governor had fallen short of every standard by disrespecting President Tinubu and abusing the rule of law.
The APC chairman claimed that the governor’s offences had been validated by the Supreme Court, providing additional evidence to support his stance.
He said: “The invitation to the lawmakers is a Greek Gift. The Supreme Court Judgement is final. There is nothing anybody can do about it. The only option available to the governor now is for him to resign or be impeached.”
Persecondnews had reported that Gov. Fubara extended an olive branch to the Amaewhule-led members of the House of Assembly on March 9, inviting them to a meeting through 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(CTC) 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 letter reads: “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.”
Before the latest development, the House of Assembly, upon resuming duty on Monday, March 4, 2025, in compliance with the Supreme Court’s February 28 order, directed 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.
Details later…
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