PORT HARCOURT: The Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, has urged Governor Siminalayi Fubara to formally invite its members to meetings rather than using social media channels.
This response follows the governor’s invitation to Assembly members for a meeting at the Government House on Monday. The invitation, conveyed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG),
Dr. Tammy Danagogo, was scheduled for 10 a.m. to discuss critical matters, including the provision of a meeting space for the Assembly, payment of outstanding allowances, and the presentation of the 2025 budget.
However, the 27 lawmakers aligned with former Governor Nyesom Wike may decline the invitation unless their conditions are met. One of these lawmakers, Isaiah Opuende, representing Akuku-Toru Constituency 2, criticized the governor for extending the invitation through social media, insisting that proper communication was necessary.
Opuende pointed out that Fubara had previously dismissed the Assembly, urging them to “dey their dey,” a phrase implying separation.
It is now time for us to determine our own stance,” Opuende stated. “When the ‘dey your dey’ started, our principal assured us our time would come.
Now, it has arrived. How can the governor post an invitation on social media and expect us to honor it? We are not children. The governor should write to us officially. That’s all we ask.
Additionally, some former local government chairmen who served under Wike were seen in a viral video mocking the governor’s invitation.
A former chairman of Ikwerre Local Government, Dr. Samuel Nwanosike, alongside others, was recorded singing, “Dey your dey, make I dey my dey,” implying support for Speaker Amaewhule.
Following the Supreme Court’s ruling affirming their legitimacy, the lawmakers held a session urging Governor Fubara to present the 2025 budget and submit nominees for commissioners and other appointments. They argued that those currently holding positions in the cabinet lacked legal backing.
The Assembly also summoned the chairman and commissioners of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to appear before them on Monday.
However, the governor’s administration ignored these demands, with Commissioner for Information Joseph Johnson stating that the government was awaiting the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the Supreme Court judgment before taking action.
The CTC was eventually released on Thursday evening and published in national newspapers the following day. In an effort to mend ties with the lawmakers, SSG Danagogo sent a letter to Speaker Amaewhule,
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titled “Meeting between the Governor of Rivers State and the Honourable Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.”
The letter emphasized the need for dialogue following the Supreme Court judgment and outlined the meeting’s agenda, including securing a suitable legislative space, addressing outstanding allowances, and discussing the 2025 budget.
The invitation coincided with the expiration of the 72-hour ultimatum issued by the Assembly for RSIEC officials to appear before them.
Speaker Amaewhule had previously noted during Friday’s plenary session that the Assembly had formally recorded Fubara’s failure to submit commissioner nominees for screening.
Efforts to reach Commissioner Joseph Johnson for comments were unsuccessful, as his mobile line was not connecting at the time of reporting.
The invitation was welcomed by factions of the All Progressives Congress (APC) led by Chief Tony Okocha and Emeka Beke. The Okocha faction, loyal to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike, described the move as a positive step toward resolving the crisis between the executive and legislative branches.
State APC Publicity Secretary Chibuike Ikenga, in a phone interview, expressed hope that this development would foster reconciliation between both arms of government. “Our stance as a party is to support anything that promotes lasting peace in Rivers State.
Both the executive and legislature should take confidence-building steps to ensure a final resolution of this crisis,” Ikenga stated.
Similarly, Chief of Staff to the Beke-led APC faction, Chizi Entire, commended the governor for honoring the Supreme Court judgment. The governor’s letter to the Assembly proves he respects the rule of law and is committed to ensuring stability in the state. This is a significant move toward restoring order,” he remarked.
Former chairmen of Ijaw-dominated local government areas in Rivers State have condemned threats from non-state actors warning of disruptions to oil production if Fubara is impeached.
These ex-officials, who previously campaigned for Fubara, urged security agencies to enforce the Supreme Court judgment in the public’s interest.
They accused certain groups, including the Ijaw National Congress and elements within the Ijaw Youth Council, of using ethnic identity to justify threats of violence.
A joint statement, signed by former local government chairmen from Abua/Odual, Akuku-Toru, Andoni, Asari-Toru, Degema, Ogu/Bolo, Okrika, Port Harcourt City, and Ahoada West, rejected any attempts to portray the Ijaw people as instigators of conflict.
“We urge the Federal Government and Nigerians to disregard these threats, which misrepresent the Ijaw people.
It is disheartening that some individuals seek to benefit from the crisis while feigning concern for the state’s stability,” the statement read.
The ex-chairmen further questioned why these same groups remained silent when Fubara allegedly withheld local government allocations and salaries of Assembly members, including Ijaw representatives.
Reaffirming their commitment to protecting oil installations in their communities, they called on Fubara to fully comply with the Supreme Court ruling.
As everyone knows, impeachment is a constitutional process meant to hold governors accountable. The Ijaw people should ensure that their son does not act in a way that invites such measures against him,” they concluded.
