In a significant development that signals a potential de-escalation of the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State, Governor Siminalayi Fubara has extended an invitation to the Amaewhule-led faction of the House of Assembly for a crucial meeting. Hobnob News has obtained details of the invitation, which comes in the wake of the Supreme Court’s recent judgment and amidst mounting pressure to resolve the protracted standoff.
The invitation, conveyed through a letter issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, and addressed to Speaker Martin Amaewhule, signals a shift in Governor Fubara’s approach. The meeting, scheduled for Monday, March 10, 2025, is intended to address key issues that have fueled the political turmoil in the state.
The letter, titled “Meeting Between the Governor of Rivers State and the Honourable Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly,” reveals that the invitation follows Governor Fubara’s receipt of the Certified True Copy of the Supreme Court judgment, a development that has added urgency to the need for a resolution.
According to the letter, the discussions will center on several critical matters, including the provision of a suitable venue for the lawmakers loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to conduct their sittings. This has been a contentious issue, with the pro-Wike lawmakers operating from a separate location, exacerbating the political divide.
Furthermore, the meeting will address the payment of all outstanding remuneration and allowances owed to the lawmakers, a point of contention that has contributed to the strained relationship between the executive and legislative branches. Crucially, the presentation of the 2025 budget, a vital fiscal document, will also be on the agenda, highlighting the need for cooperation to ensure the smooth functioning of the state government.
“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 judgment 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,” the letter stated.
The meeting is scheduled to take place at 10 am on Monday at the Government House in Port Harcourt. The invitation concludes with an expression of hope for the lawmakers’ “kind attendance with a view to charting the way forward in the interest of the good people of Rivers State.”
This move by Governor Fubara represents a significant step towards reconciliation and a potential end to the political crisis that has gripped Rivers State. The meeting is expected to be a pivotal moment in the state’s political landscape, with the potential to restore stability and foster cooperation between the executive and legislative branches. Hobnob News will provide comprehensive coverage of the meeting and its outcomes.
