 |
| Governor Fubara addressing media on Supreme Court ruling in Rivers State crisis |
Rivers State is in the middle of a deep political fight. The state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has brushed off talk of impeachment. He made this clear on Sunday after a recent Supreme Court ruling.
The court ruled on Friday. Its verdict recognized 27 lawmakers who stand with ex-governor Nyesom Wike. This decision has stirred the state even more. The court also ordered the Federal Government to stop sending funds to the state. It said that Governor Fubara must go back and show the budget to the pro-Wike lawmakers. These lawmakers are led by Martins Amaewhule.
The court went further. It cancelled the local government election that took place last year. This adds more weight to the crisis that has gripped the state since October 2023.
At the start of the crisis, the Rivers State House of Assembly split. Twenty-seven lawmakers joined forces with Wike. Only four lawmakers stayed with Fubara. Earlier that fall, the pro-Wike group tried to remove Fubara from office. The governor fought back. The conflict got worse when a bomb hit the Assembly complex. The violence left many shocked.
Governor Fubara says the lawmakers who left lost their seats. They switched from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress. He chose to show the state’s 2024 and 2025 budgets only to the four lawmakers who still stand with him. His stance is firm.
This ruling and the split in the Assembly have set the stage for more debate. Many see the court’s move as a way to force Fubara to play fair. Others worry that it might deepen the political rift. The state now faces tough choices. The funds have stopped. The future of the local government election is unclear. All these actions point to a shift in power.
The matter has many sides. Some argue that the court has taken a stand for good governance. They believe that showing the budget to all lawmakers will bring balance. Others think that the move is a sign of deeper political games. They ask if this will worsen the crisis.
We invite readers to share their views on these events. How do you see the role of the judiciary in state politics? Is this a fair check on power, or does it serve hidden interests? Your thoughts matter.
The situation in Rivers State is not yet resolved. More updates are sure to follow. For now, the focus remains on Fubara, the court’s order, and the divided House of Assembly. This political drama is far from over, and its impact will likely be felt for a long time.