Rivers Assembly Accuses Governor Fubara of Playing to the Gallery

 

In an escalating political confrontation, the Rivers State House of Assembly has leveled serious accusations against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, claiming that he is deliberately stalling the implementation of a Supreme Court judgment.

The Assembly specifically accused the governor of obstructing the process of re-presenting the 2025 Appropriation Bill, a crucial step mandated by the Supreme Court’s ruling. These accusations were voiced by Enemi George, Chairman of the House Committee on Information and the Assembly’s spokesperson, during a press briefing in Port Harcourt on Sunday.

George called on the public to hold the governor accountable, urging him to follow due process in presenting the budget, rather than trying to manipulate public opinion by casting the lawmakers as obstructive. He challenged Fubara to provide evidence of a letter he claimed to have sent to the Assembly about presenting the bill.

“We were shocked when, last week, the governor stopped at the gate of the House of Assembly Quarters on his way to an event in Ogoni and gave an interview to the press,” George recounted. “In that interview, he claimed to have sent a letter to the Assembly about presenting the appropriation bill, but no such letter was received by us.”

George dismissed the explanation from the governor’s aides that the letter had been sent via WhatsApp to some lawmakers, calling it “awkward, unprofessional, and embarrassing.” He emphasized that no letter was recorded in the Assembly’s files and challenged the governor to produce an acknowledged copy or proof of delivery.

“The social media is now flooded with stories about this supposed letter,” George continued. “But let us be clear—no such letter exists in our records. If it was sent, it seems it was intended for the public, not the legislature. The governor’s actions appear to be aimed at playing to the gallery, whipping up public sentiment, and demonizing the Assembly. This is both demeaning and dangerous.”

George further accused Fubara of frustrating the Assembly’s efforts to resolve the ongoing crisis stemming from the Supreme Court’s ruling. He recalled that the Assembly had quickly written to the governor after the ruling, urging him to present the appropriation bill for consideration. The lawmakers had hoped to conclude the process by March 15, 2025, in order to expedite the release of federal funds for the state, which had been frozen due to the court’s decision.

However, according to George, the governor ignored their appeals. He detailed how Assembly staff trying to deliver the letter to the Government House were reportedly assaulted and turned away. When lawmakers resorted to using a courier service, they still received no response.

George also pointed to the broader implications of the governor’s actions, noting that the Supreme Court’s ruling had invalidated the appointments of several state commissioners. To address this, the Assembly had asked the governor to submit a new list of nominees for screening. However, this request was reportedly rejected at the Government House, with the governor allegedly directing his officials to take legal action against the Assembly instead.

“The governor has taken it a step further,” George said. “He’s directed all ministries, agencies, and departments to cease all communication with the Rivers State House of Assembly. This is unacceptable. We are an independent arm of government, not an appendage of the executive. Our members are not subordinates. We operate under the principles of separation of powers as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

George painted a grim picture of the Assembly’s situation, alleging that the governor was behind the destruction of the Assembly’s chamber, the Speaker’s residence, and the Assembly Complex, where the lawmakers’ personal belongings were kept.

“We’ve been through hell,” George lamented. “Our chamber was burned down, our residential quarters were invaded, and our allowances have been withheld for over a year and a half. Yet, despite all this, we have prioritized the interests of the state over our personal grievances. We cannot punish the people of Rivers State because of ego or personal interests.”

He warned that the governor’s actions were putting the livelihoods of Rivers people in jeopardy, highlighting the struggles of pensioners awaiting their dues, teachers relying on salaries, and public institutions dependent on government funding.

“The governor is playing with the lives and livelihoods of Rivers people,” George said. “We must all demand that he do the right thing for the sake of our state and its people.”