A new and direct confrontation has erupted between Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, threatening to dismantle the recently brokered peace in the state and plunge it back into political turmoil.
The dispute centers on a fundamental disagreement over communication and meetings between the executive and legislative arms of government. The conflict began with Governor Fubara’s public remarks on Wednesday at the commissioning of the dualised Ahoada-Omoku Road.
At the event, Governor Fubara directly addressed circulating rumours of a rift. He stated: “Contrary to insinuations that I was avoiding the lawmakers, arrangements had already been made for a meeting with them.” He elaborated on the arrangement, explaining: “The plan was for my predecessor and FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, along with elder statesman Ferdinand Alabraba and other leaders, to convene the session.”
In a firm declaration, the Governor added: “Anyone alleging that I declined to meet with the lawmakers or rejected proposals relating to them is not telling the truth.”
In a swift and unequivocal response, Speaker Martin Amaewhule issued a counter-statement, directly challenging the Governor’s account. His rebuttal began with a stark accusation: “It’s important I make this clarification, first and foremost the governor lied when he said he hasn’t been able to meet with members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.”
Amaewhule contradicted the Governor’s narrative, stating: “Shortly after the State of Emergency was called off the FCT Minister called a meeting with the governor and principal officials of the Assembly. I can confirm I was in that meeting.”
The Speaker insisted that further interactions had occurred, saying: “Lawmakers had met with the governor multiple times, contrary to Fubara’s public claims.” He characterized the Governor’s comments as “insincere” and demonstrative of what he described as “poor leadership.”
Amaewhule described the Governor’s remarks as a deliberate provocation, alleging they were “a deliberate attempt to create the impression of a breakdown in communication—an act he believes is setting the stage for yet another political crisis in the state.” He concluded by urging “Rivers people to disregard the governor’s comments and remain vigilant as political tensions persist.”
This exchange of words marks a significant and public deterioration in the political climate of Rivers State. It directly contradicts the spirit of reconciliation that followed President Bola Tinubu’s intervention earlier in the year, which included a state of emergency and a high-profile peace meeting in June involving the key actors.
The Governor’s recent defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) was seen as a move to cement this peace. However, this new, blunt, and personal verbal conflict between the Governor and the Speaker exposes deep-seated and unresolved tensions, casting serious doubt on the stability of the state’s political settlement and signaling a potential return to protracted crisis.
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