The Rivers State House of Assembly, under the leadership of Speaker Martin Amaewhule, adjourned its legislative sessions indefinitely on Friday, March 14, 2025. This decision came shortly after Governor Siminalayi Fubara informed the Assembly of his intention to re-present the 2025 Appropriation Bill on Wednesday, in compliance with a recent Supreme Court judgment.
The indefinite adjournment has heightened political tensions in the state, especially considering the ongoing power struggle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who currently serves as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The Assembly’s leadership is known to be aligned with Wike, and this latest move is perceived by some analysts as a strategic attempt to undermine Fubara’s administration by delaying the legislative approval of the budget.
The conflict between the executive and legislative branches in Rivers State escalated following a Supreme Court judgment on February 28, 2025. The court ordered the suspension of federal allocations to the state until the governor recognized the Amaewhule-led Assembly and presented the 2025 budget for approval. In response, the Assembly issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Governor Fubara on March 3, 2025, demanding the re-presentation of the budget to prevent a financial crisis.
Governor Fubara attempted to comply by notifying the Assembly of his plan to present the budget on March 12, 2025. However, upon arrival at the Assembly complex, he and his team were denied entry, with security personnel citing a lack of official communication as the reason for the lockdown. Fubara claimed he had formally informed the Speaker of his visit and had made multiple unsuccessful attempts to reach him by phone.
The Supreme Court’s involvement stems from a deeper political rift between Fubara and Wike over control of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) structure in the state. This disagreement led to 27 Assembly members loyal to Wike defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC), further complicating the state’s political dynamics. The court’s judgment invalidated the previous budget presentation made by Fubara to a splinter faction of the Assembly and annulled recent local government elections conducted under his administration.
In light of the Assembly’s indefinite adjournment, there is growing uncertainty regarding the state’s governance and financial stability. Observers are keenly watching to see how Governor Fubara will navigate this impasse, including potential legal or political maneuvers to ensure the passage of the budget. Meanwhile, residents and stakeholders in Rivers State remain anxious as the power tussle continues to unfold, impacting the administration and development of the oil-rich state.
The situation underscores the fragility of political alliances and the complexities inherent in governance when personal and political interests collide. The resolution of this conflict will significantly influence the state’s trajectory in the coming months.
