The Rivers State House of Assembly has refuted claims by Governor Siminialayi Fubara that he has not met with members of the Assembly since the lifting of the emergency rule in the state. The House said the Governor’s assertion is misleading and misrepresents the facts.
This clarification came on Thursday when the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule, addressed a press conference in Port Harcourt, calling out what he described as “bare-faced lies” from the Governor regarding meetings with the Assembly members.
The Speaker noted that some political observers and members of the public had been misled to believe that Governor Fubara’s inability to meet the lawmakers was due to the refusal of the political leader of the state, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, to call for such meetings.
Rt. Hon. Amaewhule clarified that shortly after the termination of the emergency rule in Rivers State, several meetings were held involving principal officers of the House, Governor Fubara, and other stakeholders. According to the Speaker, about three meetings were facilitated by Minister Wike to ensure dialogue between the Governor and the lawmakers.
However, Amaewhule stressed that despite these opportunities for collaboration, Governor Fubara has reportedly refused to implement any of the resolutions reached in those meetings. “There were several engagements facilitated by Minister Wike, but the Governor has not acted on any of the agreements or resolutions,” he said.
He questioned how many meetings would be considered enough for the Governor to act responsibly, highlighting that a leader’s maturity is measured by how effectively he works with others for the good of the people, rather than resorting to public outbursts.
The Speaker’s remarks came in response to the Governor’s public comments during a project commissioning on Wednesday, where Fubara reportedly expressed frustration over the perceived lack of engagement with the House. Amaewhule described the Governor’s outburst as “condemnable” and urged him to grow in leadership and maturity.
“Governance requires patience, dialogue, and the willingness to implement agreed decisions,” Amaewhule said. “Throwing tantrums against Minister Wike will not solve any problem or advance the interests of Rivers State.”
The Speaker used the opportunity to remind Governor Fubara that the management of state resources demands calmness, responsibility, and cooperation among political actors, irrespective of their positions or party affiliations.
Rt. Hon. Amaewhule also reassured the public that the House remains committed to the development of Rivers State and the implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He emphasized that party differences should not prevent the lawmakers from working towards the welfare of citizens.
“The House of Assembly is focused on ensuring that government policies and programs, including those under the Renewed Hope Agenda, are implemented effectively in Rivers State,” he said. “We remain committed to good governance and the well-being of our people.”
Rivers State had been under an emergency rule, which temporarily shifted some executive powers to security and emergency management authorities. The emergency rule was lifted recently, returning full governance responsibilities to the elected state government.
Following the lifting of the emergency rule, there were concerns among the public and political commentators about the need for collaboration between the Governor and the lawmakers to ensure smooth governance. It was in this context that Governor Fubara’s statements about not meeting the House members gained attention and prompted a response from the Assembly.
Chief Nyesom Wike, a former Governor of Rivers State and currently the Minister of the FCT, is a respected political figure in the state and the nation. Speaker Amaewhule emphasized that Wike has actively facilitated meetings between Governor Fubara and the House members, despite political differences, showing his commitment to state development and good governance.
“The idea that Minister Wike has not called for meetings is false,” the Speaker said. “He has facilitated multiple engagements, but the Governor has not implemented any of the agreed actions. This has led to unnecessary tensions, which could have been avoided with mutual cooperation.”
The misunderstanding between Governor Fubara and the House of Assembly comes at a critical time in Rivers State politics, as the government seeks to implement key projects and policies under the Renewed Hope Agenda. Political analysts say that public disputes between state leaders can undermine governance and create uncertainty among investors and citizens.
By addressing the issue publicly, Speaker Amaewhule appears to be sending a strong message that the legislature will not be sidelined or misrepresented, and that constructive engagement is necessary for the progress of the state.
In closing, the Speaker advised Governor Fubara to adopt a more mature approach to leadership, particularly in handling relationships with experienced political figures like Minister Wike. He stressed that effective governance requires patience, collaboration, and the implementation of resolutions reached in meetings.
“Political leaders must understand that the people of Rivers State expect results, not public disagreements,” Amaewhule said. “Maturity, responsibility, and cooperation are essential for good governance.”
The Speaker’s statement was signed by Martins Wachukwu, Special Assistant on Media to the Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, on Thursday, December 11, 2025. It is expected to serve as a reference for citizens and political observers, clarifying the actual situation regarding meetings between the Governor and the legislature.