The political crisis in Rivers State has taken a dramatic turn as the Rivers State National Assembly Caucus accuses Governor Siminalayi Fubara of manipulating court judgments to undermine the leadership of Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
In a strongly worded communique, the lawmakers condemned what they described as “deliberate distortion of facts and judgments” by the Governor. They alleged that the Governor hired legal experts, including Senior Advocates of Nigeria, to twist judicial rulings to justify disobedience to court orders.
Rep. Kingsley Ogundu Chinda, the Minority Leader and a signatory to the communique, stated, “The Governor is attempting to skew public opinion to justify his refusal to obey court judgments that are not in his favour.”
The caucus also called out prominent human rights lawyer, Femi Falana SAN, accusing him of misrepresenting court rulings to mislead the public. They alleged that Falana provided false information regarding the dates of the judgment by Hon. Justice J.K. Omotosho, which affirmed Amaewhule as the legitimate Speaker.
“It is regrettable that a lawyer of his status would amplify falsehoods from political merchants. We caution him to stop misinterpreting judgments,” the lawmakers said.
Court Battles and Political Tension
The crisis began when the Martins Amaewhule-led Assembly approached the court seeking several reliefs, including the recognition of Amaewhule as Speaker and protection from alleged interference by Governor Fubara.
On January 22, 2024, Justice J.K. Omotosho granted all the reliefs sought by Amaewhule and the 27 members of his Assembly. The court ruled that they were the only legitimate House of Assembly in Rivers State.
The judgment was subsequently upheld by both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. The Governor’s attempt to challenge the ruling was halted when he withdrew his appeal at the Supreme Court, leading to the dismissal of the suit with costs.
According to the caucus, this withdrawal confirmed Amaewhule as the Speaker and the 27 lawmakers as the only legitimate members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. They emphasized that the ruling takes immediate and permanent effect.
Governor Accused of Political Manipulation
The lawmakers accused Governor Fubara of attempting to bypass the court rulings by seeking a declaration from a Federal High Court in Rivers State to vacate the seats of Amaewhule and the 27 lawmakers.
They alleged that this move came after the Governor failed to use another court to unseat the lawmakers. The caucus warned that any attempt to recognize any other group as the Rivers State House of Assembly would be “a direct call for political anarchy and social lawlessness.”
“The Governor should stop giving any assignment whatsoever to any group claiming to be the Rivers State House of Assembly other than the Amaewhule-led Assembly,” the caucus declared.
Calls for Enforcement of Court Judgments
In their communique, the lawmakers called on the Executive Arm to enforce the Court of Appeal’s ruling, which affirmed Amaewhule as Speaker, to prevent a breakdown of law and order in Rivers State.
They urged the Inspector General of Police to provide security for the Amaewhule-led Assembly to carry out its legislative functions without interference.
“There is no more contest as to who the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly is. The Governor himself, in his Notice of Withdrawal before the Supreme Court, acknowledged Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule as the Speaker,” the caucus pointed out.
Political Implications and Reactions
The political crisis in Rivers State has sparked heated debates about the separation of powers and the rule of law. Analysts believe the situation could escalate if not managed carefully, as it involves the interpretation and implementation of court judgments.
Political commentator, Dr. Chukwuemeka Nwankwo, said, “This crisis exposes deep political divisions within Rivers State. It’s a test of the judiciary’s authority and the executive’s willingness to respect the rule of law.”
Efforts to reach Governor Fubara for his response were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report. However, his supporters have consistently maintained that his actions are within the bounds of the law.
Tensions High as Crisis Continues
The standoff in Rivers State reflects the growing tensions between the legislative and executive arms of government. The battle for the control of the House of Assembly has not only divided political loyalties but also raised questions about judicial independence and political interference.
The Rivers State National Assembly Caucus has vowed to continue defending the judiciary’s rulings, insisting that they will not allow the manipulation of legal interpretations for political gain.
“We will not stand by and watch the law being turned upside down to satisfy political interests,” Rep. Chinda declared.
