Rivers Faces Uncertainty As House of Assembly Blocks Governor Fubara’s Supreme Court Compliance Efforts

The political crisis in Rivers State has deepened as the Martins Amaewhule-led House of Assembly continues to impede Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s efforts to implement the recent Supreme Court judgment, raising concerns about governance and economic stability in the state.

Following the Supreme Court’s ruling on February 28, 2025, which addressed critical issues including the annulment of the October 5, 2024 local government elections, the seizure of Rivers State’s federation revenue allocations, and the re-presentation of the 2025 budget, Governor Fubara swiftly pledged full compliance. In a statewide broadcast, he directed ousted local government chairmen to hand over to Heads of Local Government Administration and initiated steps for fresh elections. The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), led by retired Justice Adolphus Enebeli, set August 9, 2025, for new polls.

However, the Rivers State House of Assembly has resisted the governor’s moves. The legislators issued a 48-hour ultimatum for the budget’s re-presentation and subsequently declared Fubara’s appointment of 19 commissioners illegal. They also called for an investigation into the state’s Chief Judge over alleged age falsification, a matter that legally falls under the jurisdiction of the National Judicial Council (NJC).

In a bid to foster dialogue, Governor Fubara invited the Assembly members for discussions on the budget, their unpaid allowances, and a more suitable venue for legislative activities. However, the lawmakers rebuffed the invitation, dismissing it on procedural grounds. The governor personally followed up with a letter to Speaker Amaewhule, notifying him of his intention to present the budget on March 12, 2025. On the scheduled day, however, the lawmakers denied him access to the legislative quarters.

Undeterred, Governor Fubara sent another letter on March 14, proposing a budget presentation on March 19 or any other convenient date. Shockingly, Assembly staff refused to acknowledge receipt of the letter, and even a courier service engaged for delivery was turned away. In response, the state government published the letter in two national newspapers, The Nation and The Guardian, yet the Assembly accused the governor of failing to properly communicate.

As tensions escalate, the House of Assembly has now adjourned indefinitely, effectively blocking budget approval. This standoff threatens severe economic consequences for Rivers State, as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant-General of the Federation have been directed to withhold federal allocations until the Supreme Court’s ruling is fully implemented. The state now faces potential salary and pension payment delays, as well as stalled government operations.

Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Warisenibo Joe Johnson, has appealed to the lawmakers to reconsider their stance, warning that their actions could plunge the state into deeper crisis. “Governor Fubara has demonstrated his willingness to implement the judgment in good faith. Any failure to resolve this impasse will have devastating consequences for the people of Rivers State,” he stated.

With the deadlock persisting, all eyes are on the political actors in Rivers State to either find a path toward resolution or risk further destabilizing governance in the oil-rich state.