Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has formally acknowledged the 27 lawmakers of the State House of Assembly led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, marking a critical development in the state’s ongoing political crisis.
The recognition follows a prolonged dispute that began after the legislators, aligned with former Governor Nyesom Wike, defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In response to their defection, Fubara had declared their seats vacant, sparking months of legal and political battles.
The pro-Wike lawmakers recently intensified pressure on the governor, issuing a 48-hour ultimatum demanding the resubmission of the 2025 budget.
This demand came after the Supreme Court ruled in their favor, reaffirming their legitimacy as members of the Assembly.
Initially, the Rivers State government responded coolly, stating that it only became aware of the lawmakers’ demands through social media.
Adding to the tension, the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) issued a notice for fresh local government elections, coinciding with the Assembly’s move to amend the law governing the commission.
This development is widely interpreted as part of the broader power struggle between Governor Fubara and Wike, who now serves as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
The prolonged dispute has had far-reaching consequences for the state’s governance. The governor’s initial decision to declare the lawmakers’ seats vacant triggered a series of legal challenges, culminating in the Supreme Court’s verdict, which reinstated the legislators.
The ruling underscored the complex nature of party allegiance in Nigeria’s political system and the legal gray areas surrounding legislative legitimacy after defections.
Following their reinstatement, the lawmakers wasted no time asserting their authority. Their demand for the resubmission of the 2025 budget highlighted their intent to reestablish legislative control and address pending governance issues.
The crisis has divided political stakeholders within Rivers State. Some members of the House of Representatives from the state have backed Governor Fubara, arguing that the lawmakers should have lost their seats upon switching parties.
