Rivers Assembly Overrides Gov. Fubara, Passes LG Amendment Bill

The Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly on Monday passed the Rivers State Local Government (Amendment) Bill into law, overriding the assent of Governor Siminialayi Fubara.

According to the parliament, two-thirds majority of House members voted to override the governor and pass the Bill into law.

Recall that on the 13th of March, the House passed the Local Government (Amendment) Bill and forwarded same to Fubara for assent but the governor declined assent to the bill.

In a related development, the House also screened and confirmed nominees for the positions of chairman and members of the Assembly Service Commission.

Those screened and confirmed are Sampson Worlu as Chairman with Abinye Pepple, Blessing Derefaka, Gbaranen Robinson and Dorcas Amos as members.

On March 22, 2024, the House passed the Rivers State Assembly Service Commission (Amendment) Bill into law, wherein the House gave itself the power to appoint the chairman and members of the Assembly Service Commission.

The 27 members of the assembly loyal to Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, have been having a running battle with the governor over the governor strain relationship with the minister.

The assembly had threatened to commence impeachment process against the governor last month.