Rivers State Political Crisis Deepens as Lawmakers Bar Governor Fubara From Assembly

The political crisis in Rivers State escalated on Wednesday as 27 lawmakers, loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, denied Governor Siminalayi Fubara access to the State House of Assembly. This move prevented the governor from re-presenting the 2025 Appropriation Bill, following a Supreme Court ruling that mandated the full Assembly’s involvement in the budget process.

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Governor Fubara Blocked from Presenting 2025 Budget

Governor Fubara arrived at the Assembly complex early Wednesday morning to fulfill the Supreme Court’s directive by submitting the 2025 budget to the legally recognized Assembly. However, he was met with locked gates, effectively preventing him from entering the premises.

This latest development is a direct consequence of the Supreme Court’s judgment, which ruled that only the fully constituted House of Assembly had the legal authority to deliberate on the state budget. This ruling indirectly invalidated Fubara’s previous budget presentation to a faction of lawmakers loyal to him.

The power tussle between Governor Fubara and pro-Wike lawmakers has created further uncertainty in the governance of Rivers State, deepening the existing political divide.

Assembly Staff Claim Ignorance of Governor’s Visit

Despite Governor Fubara’s insistence that he had attempted multiple times to reach Speaker Martins Amaewhule and other lawmakers, Assembly staff denied having any prior knowledge of his planned visit.

One staff member, who spoke anonymously to Vanguard, stated, “I am not aware that the Governor was scheduled to be at the Assembly today (Wednesday). If such information existed, the Rt. Hon. Speaker would have informed us. As of now, we have no knowledge of his visit.”

Meanwhile, Speaker Martins Amaewhule and the 27 lawmakers aligned with Wike have remained silent on their decision to deny the governor entry into the Assembly complex.

Lingering Power Struggle Fuels Political Uncertainty

The ongoing political crisis in Rivers State stems from the deep-seated rivalry between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who now serves as the Minister of the FCT. The division has split the State House of Assembly into two factions—one loyal to Fubara and the other to Wike—resulting in legislative paralysis.

Observers fear that the current deadlock could significantly disrupt governance in the state, particularly the passage of the 2025 budget, which is crucial for government operations. If the impasse continues, Rivers State may face delays in implementing developmental projects and essential public services.

The inability of both factions to resolve their differences raises concerns about the state’s political stability, with many calling for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other stakeholders to intervene before the situation worsens.

For now, the fate of the 2025 Appropriation Bill remains uncertain, as Governor Fubara seeks alternative ways to ensure that the budget is legally passed, while lawmakers loyal to Wike continue to assert their authority over the legislative process.