Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has invited members of the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly to a crucial meeting following recent legal and political battles that have engulfed the state.
According to reports, the meeting, which is set for Monday, March 10, 2025 at the Government House in Port Harcourt, aims to address pressing issues, including the 2025 budget, unpaid entitlements, and the provision of a proper venue for the Assembly’s sittings.
This was conveyed in an official letter from the Rivers State Government, signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Tammy Wenike Danagogo, and addressed to Speaker Martins Amaewhule.
The letter is titled, ‘Meeting Between The Governor Of Rivers State And The Honourable Members Rivers State House Of Assembly.’
It states, “I hereby write in furtherance of His Excellency’s promise stated in my letter dated 5 March, 2025 to notify you that His Excellency has received the Supreme Court Judgment, and has therefore directed me to invite you and your colleagues – the Honourable members of Rivers State House of Assembly, to a meeting to discuss:-
“Provision of a befitting space for the Assembly’s sittings; payment of all outstanding remuneration or allowances of the Honourable members; presentation of Budget and sundry matters; and any other matter(s), as may be necessary, to chart the way forward in the best interest of the state.
“Sequel to the above, I hereby humbly invite the Rt. Hon. Speaker and all the members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to a meeting with the Governor as follows:- Date: Monday, 10th March, 2025 ; Time: 10 am; Venue: Office of the Governor, Government House, Port Harcourt.”
The invitation follows a recent Supreme Court ruling affirming Amaewhule as the legitimate Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, a verdict that further escalated political tensions in the state.
NEW DAILY PRIME earlier reported that the Assembly had been locked in a heated legal battle with Fubara’s administration, particularly over the nullification of the governor’s appointment of 19 commissioners.
The commissioners, whose appointments were ratified by four pro-Fubara lawmakers, have also filed a lawsuit seeking to block the Assembly from declaring their appointments illegal.
They are also seeking a court injunction to prevent the lawmakers from interfering in their duties as members of the state executive council.
Adding to the political uncertainty, the Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RISIEC), Justice Adolphus Enebeli (retired), and his commissioners have challenged the Assembly’s authority to summon them over the annulment of the October 2024 local government elections.
Despite repeated invitations, RISIEC officials have refused to appear before the lawmakers, prompting the Assembly to threaten constitutional action under Section 129 (1) (d).
During its recent plenary session, the Assembly insisted that RISIEC must account for the funding of the nullified local government elections and the planned expenditure for a fresh poll scheduled for August 9, 2025.
The lawmakers loyal to former governor of the state, Nyesom Wike, also accused Governor Fubara of deliberately stalling the 2025 budget presentation, warning that they would take necessary legislative action if he continued to delay.
