Tension In Rivers As Pro-Wike Lawmakers’ Deadline To Fubara Expires, Both Camps Plot Next Action

There is growing tension in Rivers State as the ultimatum issued to Governor Siminalayi Fubara by the pro-Nyesom Wike lawmakers led by Martins Amaewhule expires on Monday, July 15, 2024 (today).

The Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly had issued a 7-day ultimatum to Governor Fubara to resubmit the 2024 budget of the state.

As the deadline lapses, there is concerns about the potential actions from the camps of FCT Minister, Wike, and his political rival, Governor Fubara who have been laying claims to the Rivers Assembly and issuing conflicing resolutions.

The ultimatum, issued on July 8, followed a motion by Dumle Maol, Chairman of the House Committee on Judiciary and Deputy Speaker of the Pro-Nyesom Wike Assembly. Maol urged the House to instruct the Governor to present the budget again, referencing a recent court ruling that confirmed their membership and validated Amaewhule’s leadership.

Resubmitting the budget was a crucial part of the presidential peace pact aimed at resolving the political crisis in the state. However, Governor Fubara had already submitted the ₦800bn budget to the Assembly led by Edison Ehie, which was subsequently passed and signed into law. The current Assembly faction loyal to the Governor is now led by Victor Oko-Jumbo.

The demand for resubmitting the 2024 budget seems impractical, as Governor Fubara recently announced his administration is preparing the 2025 budget.

Meanwhile, Chijioke Ihunwo, a pro-Fubara politician, dismissed the 7-day ultimatum as laughable and urged Amaewhule to accept his status as a former assembly member. Ihunwo was appointed by the governor as the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.