The Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, on Sunday expressed dissatisfaction over an invitation extended to its members by Governor Siminalayi Fubara via social media. The Assembly members, particularly those aligned with former Governor Nyesom Wike, rejected the informal invitation and called for a proper, official letter from the governor.
Fubara had, through the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Tammy Danagogo, announced a meeting scheduled for Monday at the Government House, aimed at addressing several critical issues. These included the provision of adequate sitting space for the Assembly, payment of outstanding allowances, and the presentation of the 2025 state budget. However, the Assembly members, particularly the 27 loyal to Wike, expressed their displeasure, suggesting that they might not attend unless their conditions are met.
Isaiah Opuende, the lawmaker representing Akuku-Toru Constituency 2, criticized the governor for bypassing formal channels and sending the invitation via social media. Opuende slammed the governor’s approach, reminding him of previous remarks where he had instructed Assembly members to “dey their dey” (stay in their lane). Opuende responded defiantly, saying, “It’s time for us to determine our dey. When the ‘dey your dey’ started, our principal said the time for our own ‘dey your dey’ will come. Now, our ‘dey your dey’ has come. How can you send a letter and post it on social media and expect us to honor it? We are not kids. The governor should properly communicate with the Assembly.”
In a related development, a viral video surfaced showing former local government chairmen, mostly from areas heavily populated by the Ijaw ethnic group, mocking Fubara’s attempt to invite the lawmakers. The video, which featured former Ikwerre LG Chairman Samuel Nwanosike and other Wike supporters, had them singing and dancing, chanting, “Dey your dey, make I dey my dey, dey your dey, nobody worry Amaewhule.”
In the wake of the Supreme Court ruling that confirmed the legitimacy of the Amaewhule-led Assembly, the lawmakers had previously requested Fubara to present the 2025 budget, submit names for commissioner nominees, and address the legal status of the current cabinet members. These requests went unanswered, with Commissioner for Information Joseph Johnson explaining that the government was waiting for the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the Supreme Court judgment before acting.
The CTC was eventually released on Thursday and published widely on Friday, prompting a follow-up from the governor’s office. On Sunday, the SSG wrote a letter to Amaewhule, informing him that the governor had received the CTC and was inviting the Assembly members to a meeting. The meeting was to cover the provision of a proper sitting space for the Assembly, payment of allowances, and the presentation of the budget, among other issues.
The invitation, however, came as the 72-hour deadline given by the Assembly for the chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to appear before them was set to expire on Monday.
During the Friday plenary, Amaewhule had expressed displeasure over the governor’s failure to submit nominees for commissioner positions, highlighting the legality of the current cabinet.
Meanwhile, the governor’s invitation was welcomed by the Tony Okocha-led faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which supports the resolution of the ongoing dispute between the executive and legislative branches. Chibuike Ikenga, the state Publicity Secretary of APC, emphasized that any move leading to lasting peace in Rivers State was welcomed. He urged both the executive and legislative arms to engage in dialogue and build trust to resolve the crisis.
“Whatever brings lasting peace to Rivers State is what we support,” Ikenga remarked, adding that the ongoing overtures between the two sides could pave the way for reconciliation. “The Supreme Court had already resolved the legality issue. Now, it’s about interpersonal relationships between the leaders of the two arms of government, and we support all moves that lead to a final resolution.”
The development also drew positive comments from Chizi Entire, the Chief of Staff to the Beke-led faction of APC, who called the situation a “win-win” for the state. He praised Fubara for adhering to the Supreme Court judgment and making steps to restore order in the state. Entire described the governor’s willingness to engage with the legislature as a crucial step toward the state’s political stability.
However, the situation remains tense, with certain Ijaw leaders warning against escalating violence if Fubara were to be impeached. Some groups had threatened to disrupt oil production and cause a crisis in the state, in retaliation for any attempts to remove Fubara. These threats were condemned by the former local government chairmen, who stressed that the Supreme Court’s judgment did not call for the governor’s impeachment. They urged the federal government and the public to disregard such threats, which they argued were driven by individuals benefiting from the political crisis.
The former local government chairmen, many of whom belong to the Ijaw ethnic group, also denounced the use of ethnic identity to fuel threats of violence. They called for the full implementation of the Supreme Court judgment, stressing that any attempts to disrupt oil infrastructure would only harm the state’s people. They urged Governor Fubara to respect the court’s decision and ensure the continued stability of Rivers State.
As the 72-hour ultimatum for the RSIEC chairman approaches its deadline, the political standoff in Rivers State remains unresolved, with both the executive and legislature continuing to navigate a fragile path toward peace.
