…Says “we are yet to receive letter”
…Assembly accuses Fubara of infraction
From Charles Ebi, Port Harcourt
Rivers State Government has shunned the 48 hours ultimatum given to it by the State House of Assembly to
re-present the 2025 Appropriation Bill.
AljazirahNigeria reports that Deputy Speaker of the House, Honourable Dumle Maol, had during sitting in Port Harcourt, on Monday moved moved a motion this:
“That pursuant to the order of the Supreme Court in Suit no.: SC/CV/1174/2024 for the stoppage of Statutory Federal allocations to the Rivers State Government and halting of spending from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of Rivers State pending the passage of an Appropriation Bill”.
In this vein, the House requested Governor Siminalayi Fubara to re-present the 2025 Appropriation Bill to the House in line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
The lawmakers in a resolution signed by the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule said that “That the House expects you (Fubara) to present the 2025 Appropriation Bill within 48 hours”.
Amaewhule, in his remarks, condemned Fubara’s directive to the heads of Local Government Administration to take charge of the councils, saying it is illegal and against the Supreme Court’s decision.
The lawmakers drew the governor’s attention to “the provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended; the Rivers State Local Government (Amendment) Law, 2023 as well as the Judgement of the Supreme Court in Suit No.: SC/CV/343/2024 that prohibits the administration of Local Governments by HLGAs or any other persons other than democratically elected officials”.
The ultimatum followed a judgment by the Supreme Court that reinstated 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
However, the State government in a letter dated March 5, 2025 and addressed to the Speaker of the Assembly, said it had not received the said resolutions of the House.
Responding to the ultimatum which expired yesterday, the state government in a letter to the House pointed out that “As at the close of work on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, we are yet to receive the said letter.
“Neither the office of the governor nor the deputy governor’s office, nor the office of the Accountant-General of the state has received the the said letter.
“We have since been in contact with our lawyers, who are still awaiting the certified true copy of the judgement of the Supreme Court and hereby reassure you and all the good people of Rivers State that as soon as his Excellency receives the judgement, he will strive to implement same in the best interest of our people”.
In another development the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Martin Amaewhule, has written to Fubara, demanding the sack of all commissioners in the state within 48 hours.
The letter is sequel to a resolution after the House met, yesterday.
Besides, the lawmakers in a letter demanded the sacking of other appointees not properly screened by the lawmakers.
The lawmakers in letter, the lawmaker said “that your attention should once again be drawn to your illegal appointments of persons to serve in various offices without first forwarding their names for screening and confirmation as required by the 1999 Constitution as amended and other extant laws.
“That your attention should specifically be drawn to your failure to forward the name of a nominee for appointment as Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice to the Rivers State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation but chose to parade one Mr. Dagogo Iboroma as a member of the State Executive Council in this regard, thereby contravening Section 192(2) & (6) as well as Section 195(1) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
“That we should remind you of another infraction of the Constitution in which you illegally swore in several other persons who are parading themselves as Commissioners into the Rivers State Executive Council on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, namely- Prince Charles O. Beke; Collins Onunwo; Solomon Eke; Peter Medee; Elloka Tasie-Amadi; Basoene Joshua Benibo; Tambari Sydney Gbara and Ovy Orluideye Chinedum Chukwuma without screening and confirmation by the Rivers State House of Assembly in full compliance with Section 192(2) & (6) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
“Others who were sworn in on Tuesday 13th August 2024 are Illamu Arug; Rowland Obed Whyte; Samuel Anyan; Stanley Eke and Austin Emeka Nnadozie while Israel Ngbelu; Evans Bipi; Otarinij Ngubo and Benibo Alabraba were sworn in on Monday, October 7, 2024. Emmanuel Frank-Fubara was sworn in on July 8, 2024, amounting to a total number of 19 persons parading themselves and misleading Rivers people that they are Commissioners”.
