Rivers State Assembly Bypasses Governor Fubara, Enacts 4 New Bills into Legislation

The legislative landscape in Rivers State witnessed a decisive turn as the State House of Assembly boldly exercised its prerogative to supersede Governor Siminalayi Fubara, ushering in the enactment of four new bills into law.

Reports indicate that this consequential development unfolded during the plenary session on this Friday at the House of Assembly Quarters. The catalyst for this legislative impetus was the Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, who, after reading four missives from the governor, revealing his dissent towards the proposed bills, steered the Assembly towards a resolute decision.

An intriguing twist emerged as the House, fortified by the authority conferred by Section 100 subsection 5, declared the governor's assent irrelevant for the passage of these bills into law. This section expressly stipulates, "where the Governor withholds assent and the bill is again passed by two-thirds majority, the bill shall become a law and the assent of the Governor shall not be required.''

Amaewhule, in a pointed critique, accused Governor Fubara of harboring no intentions to conduct local government elections in the state. He asserted, "by the reasons given by the Governor, it means he doesn’t plan to conduct local government elections in the state." Elaborating further, he emphasized, "the key thing here is that this law removes the power of the Governor to appoint Caretaker Committee Chairmen for the Local Governments; the Governor is not pleased with relinquishing his powers to appoint caretaker chairmen."

The quartet of legislations that secured passage comprises

1. The Rivers Local Government Amendment Law

2. The Rivers State Traditional Rulers Amendment Law

3. The Rivers State Advertisement and Use of State-Owned Property Prohibition repeal law.

4. The Rivers State Funds Management and Financial Autonomy Law.

In a parallel narrative, a Federal High Court in Abuja recently nullified the N800 billion budget endorsed by the Edison Ehie-led faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly. This budget, previously sanctioned by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, faced judicial annulment.

The court, responding to a suit filed by the Assembly and Speaker Martin Amaewhule against Governor Fubara, upheld the injunction restraining the governor from impeding the Assembly's proceedings under Amaewhule's leadership. Presiding Judge James Omotosho categorically deemed all actions taken by the four lawmakers as null and void.