Abuja, Nigeria – The Supreme Court has upheld the leadership of the Rivers State House of Assembly under Speaker Martin Amaewhule, ruling that there was no evidence to support claims that 27 lawmakers had defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a landmark 62-page judgment obtained by Reporters on Thursday, the apex court criticized Governor Siminalayi Fubara for undermining the state legislature, stating that his actions had effectively collapsed the Assembly and created a constitutional crisis. Justice Emmanuel Agim, who delivered the judgment, emphasized that the 1999 Constitution does not recognize a House of Assembly with only four members, rejecting Fubara’s attempt to invalidate the majority faction. The court further declared that the governor’s claims of defection were baseless and legally unfounded, especially since he had voluntarily withdrawn the allegations at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The Supreme Court ruled that Fubara’s moves to recognize only four lawmakers amounted to a brazen subversion of the state legislature and democratic governance. It also ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Accountant General of the Federation to suspend all financial allocations to the Rivers State Government until a valid budget is passed by the duly constituted House of Assembly. The ruling further directed Amaewhule and the 26 lawmakers to resume sitting immediately, warning against any further interference with their legislative functions.
The judgment is expected to have far-reaching implications for the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State, solidifying the power struggle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, former Governor Nyesom Wike, whose influence continues to shape the state’s political landscape.
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