By Newsmata
The fate of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, hangs in the balance as the Supreme Court of Nigeria, in a landmark judgement on Monday, affirmed the leadership of the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly. The court also slammed a N2 million fine on the embattled governor in favour of the lawmakers.
The apex court, led by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji, dismissed the appeal filed by Fubara, challenging the leadership of the House dominated by loyalists of the immediate past governor of the state, now minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike. By this judgement, the authority of the Amaewhule-led Assembly is consolidated, ending putting the prolonged legal battle over the state’s legislative leadership.
Newsmata.com recalls that the 27 lawmakers out of 32, loyal to Wike had on Monday December 11, 2023, defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress, (APC) from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, during plenary. They cited division in the PDP as reason for dumping their party and accused the governor of starving them of funds.
Speaking after reading the letters signed by the lawmakers, Amaewhule directed the clerk of the House to convey their resolutions to Governor Fubara and other relevant authorities.
Meanwhile, Governor Fubara, in acceptance of the judgement, has withdrawn his Appeal No. SC/CV/1071/2024, which sought to overturn an earlier Appeal Court ruling that declared the 2024 Rivers State budget illegal.
The appellate court had ruled that Fubara’s presentation of the budget to just three lawmakers was unconstitutional and directed him to re-submit it before the House of Assembly led by Speaker Amaewhule.
The Appeal Court had previously upheld the judgement of Justice James Kolawole Omotosho in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/1613/2023, which first ruled against Fubara’s budget presentation.
With his appeal now withdrawn, Governor Fubara may have effectively accepted the rulings of both the lower and appellate courts, acknowledging the legitimacy of the Amaewhule-led House of Assembly.
This Supreme Court verdict brings clarity to the political landscape in Rivers State, affirming the constitutional process of governance and legislative authority.