GOVERNOR FUBARA ACCUSES MARTIN AMAEWHULE-LED HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY OF IMPEDING ENFORCEMENT OF SUPREME COURT JUDGMENT
The Rivers State Government has warned of a gloomy future for the state due to seeming refusal by the House of Assembly to cooperate on the implementation of the recent Supreme Court judgment on the political crisis in the state.
The Commissioner of Information, Joseph Johnson, the House of Assembly led by Martin Amaewhule had refused to allow Governor Siminalayi Fubara to fully implement the judgment of the Supreme Court.
Addressing a news conference in the state capital, Port Harcourt, Joseph Johnson said Governor Fubara had already started implementing the judgment by the removal of local government chairmen who were elected in the recent controversial council polls.
Johnson said the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) had followed up with that and scheduled fresh local government elections for August 9, 2025, in compliance with the Supreme Court ruling.
Instead of working with the Governor on the moves he initiated, the Information Commissioner said the House of Assembly launched an attack against the RSIEC Chairman, retired Justice Adolphus Enebeli, and his commissioners.
Joseph Johnson said the Assembly members also launched a witch-hunt against the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi, accusing him of age falsification.
Johnson said they invited the Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate the allegation instead of reporting the matter to the Nigerian Judicial Council (NJC), which is the constitutionally mandated body to investigate and discipline judicial officers.
He refuted the claim by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Hon Enemi George, that Governor Fubara was the person frustrating the implementation of the Supreme Court judgment.
The Commissioner maintained that Governor Fubara had taken steps to publish his letter sent to the Assembly on his intention to present the 2025 budget in two national dailies to ensure transparency, after the House blocked previous attempts to present the budget.
He further criticized the House of Assembly members for proceeding on an indefinite recess despite the unresolved budget issue, warning of severe consequences for civil servants, retirees, and the general public due to the budget delay.
The Commissioner maintained that since the failed attempt to impeach Governor Fubara on October 30, 2023, he had not left anyone in doubt about his unwavering commitment to peace and resolute determination to put Rivers people first over and above personal and, or sectional interests.