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Tag: Rivers Assembly

  • Rivers Assembly passes 3 bills, adjourns plenary indefinitely

    Rivers Assembly passes 3 bills, adjourns plenary indefinitely

    The Rivers State House of Assembly on Friday passed three bills into law before immediately proceeding on an indefinite recess.

    The bills include the Rivers State House of Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Bill, the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) Bill, and the Rivers State Local Government Bill, 2025.

    Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, announced the passage of the bills during a plenary session in Port Harcourt on Friday.

    NAN learnt that the Powers and Privileges Bills seeks to grant the state lawmakers the authority, privilege and immunity necessary to carry out their legislative duties.

    The RSIEC Bill aims to repeal the RSIEC Bill Law No. 2 of 2018, thereby redefining the establishment, composition, and functions of the commission.

    The Rivers State Local Government Bill 2025 seeks to repeal the existing Local Government Laws of 2018, 2023, and 2024.

    The Deputy Leader of House, Mrs Lynda Somiari-Stewart, concluded the debate on the three committee reports before their final passage, having scaled the third reading.

    Following the passage of the bills, Amaewhule adjourned plenary indefinitely, effectively preventing Fubara from presenting the 2025 Appropriation Bill.

    The governor had earlier written to the House on Thursday, requesting to present the state budget on March 19, following two previous failed attempts to meet with the lawmakers.

    It remains uncertain whether the indefinite plenary adjournment is a deliberate attempt to further delay the budget presentation, despite the directive by the Supreme Court.

  • Rivers Assembly should embrace peace – Fubara

    Rivers Assembly should embrace peace – Fubara

    Gov. Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers urged the state House of Assembly to embrace peace and prioritise the interest of the state in compliance with the Supreme Court judgement.

    Fubara made the remark at the inauguaration of the 85-year-old Okrika Grammar School in Okrika Local Government Area on Thursday in Port Harcourt.

    The governor said that it was important at the stage of the political crisis in the state that all the stakeholders embrace peace.

    “The Supreme Court has made its judgment, we don’t have any option than to abide by it,” he said.

    According to him, the other party to the Supreme Court judgment, the Rivers State House of Assembly, needed to know that they are also to comply with the ruling.

    ‘’And do so with commitment that prioritises the interest of the state.’’

    Fubara said that such resolve must engender collective action towards achieving peace in the state.

    He said that it was because it served as the potent medium through which all the arms of government could function properly while creating public goods that would benefit everyone.

    He emphasised that without an enduring peace, sustainable development would be hampered practically, while the sense of security, respect, tolerance, stability, and well-being to pursue goals would suffer.

    “And by the special grace of God, we have started the process; we are appealing to other parties to consider the interest of Rivers State, it is important.

    “The only thing that we owe this state is peace and development. I am open any day, any time for total peace in our state.

    ‘’Because if I have to govern well, there is need for peace to prevail,” Fubara said.

    Speaking on the project, he recalled how the planning committee of the 20th Anniversary of the Diocese of Okrika Anglican Communion visited his office, and appealed to him to give the dilapidated school a facelift.

    Fubara explained that the request was considered base on the school’s place in history and the importance of quality education in addressing some social vices among idle and uneducated youths.

    He said his administration resolved that the standard of the school should be uplifted since education, healthcare and food sufficiency were part of its agenda.

    According to him, to the glory of God, we are here today to unveil one of the things that we have done, even in the face of these situations confronting our administration.

    Fubara assured the Anglican Church that whatever that is remaining within the scope of what has been approved for the institution, will be completed.

    He added that education had remained the bedrock of development in any society, saying that if the key facilities to boost education were properly managed, crime would be reduced drastically.

    He urged the Church which manages the school to protect every facility the government had put in  place in the school.

    Fubara assured the leadership of the Church that experts would be sent to assess the shore protection concerns expressed by the Bishop, and see how to safeguard the school surrounding from being washed away.

    He, however, urged the Old Boys of the school to take up some strategic projects, especially the establishment of a centre for computer-based examinations for external examinations.

    In his remarks, Dr. Ovy Chukwuma, the State Commissioner for Education, said that the massive remodelling and reconstruction work on the school was achieved which had restored the glory of Okrika Grammar School.

    Chukwuma said that the construction and equipping of Okrika Grammar School was awarded in April, 2024 to various contractors while the project was fully funded by the government.

    According to Chukwuma, the project consists of an Administrative Block, 24 Classroom Blocks, Laboratory, ICT, Library Block, Assembly Hall, 100-bed Male Hostel, 100-bed Female Hostel, Kitchen and Dinning Hall.

    “It also has Matron’s quarters and sickbay, Principal’s quarters, senior staff quarters, junior staff quarters, perimeter fencing, gate, generator house and power supply with extension of electricity, including solar-powered streetlights, among other.

    “There is road network and landscaping of about 1.8 kilometers with 1.5 kilometer drainage, interlocking connecting buildings, completed road pavements and parking lots, water supply to all the buildings within the compound,’’ he said.
    Speaking also, the Head of Local Government Administration, Okrika LGA, Mrs Obianime Appollos, said the Okrika Grammar School, established in 1940, had remained an iconic institution known for academic excellence.

    He commended Fubara for remodelling the structures and restoring the status of the institution after years of neglect.

    Mr Golden Iruayenama, on behalf of the Old Boys Association, said the school’s years of neglect and dilapidated structures were worrisome and promises to fix them never materialised until Gov. Fubara changed the narrative.

    Also speaking, Bishop Enoch Atuboyedia of Diocese of Okrika, Anglican Communion, said it would be remembered that the Grammar school, after 85 years of existence, was magnanimously remodelled and resuscitated by Fubara.

  • Rivers Assembly invites EFCC, ICPC to investigate Electoral Commission’s boss

    Rivers Assembly invites EFCC, ICPC to investigate Electoral Commission’s boss

    The Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Martins  Amaewhule have called on Economics and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offenses Commission(ICPC) to investigate the River Electoral Chairman.

    Amaewhule, who is the Speaker of the Assembly, made the remark during the plenary at the Assembly quarters complex in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

    He said that the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) Chairman, Justice Adolphus Enebeli (rtd), should be investigated for alleged misappropriation of the Commission’s fund.

    He said that it is the duty of the Rivers State Assembly, that enacted the state Independent Electoral Commission law and set up the State Independent Electoral Commission, to exercise oversight over it.

    “It is not only constitutional, but it is the convention the world over,” he said.

    Amaewhule said that Enebeli and the Commissioners came before the House of Assembly for screening and confirmation and admitted that they were not going to live above the Constitution or the Rivers’ law.

    “And it is usually the practice that questions are put forth to them, asking them if they will come before the House when questions are needed to be asked.

    “And they also confirmed to us that they will come before the Assembly to answer questions when necessary.

    “Today, we are calling on them and they are refusing to honour the summons of this August Assembly.’’
    He said that the House is vested with the powers in Section 128 of the state Constitution to invite the commission for investigation, for the chairman and members to answer questions put forward to them.

    Amaewhule said that it had become necessary for the house to invite the EFCC and ICPC to assist it, in pursuit of its investigative powers, to find out how funds were spent by the commission.

    He said that the crime commissions should also investigate how public funds were expended by the chairman, who is the chief accounting officer of the commission, in a manner that was unknown to the Assembly.

    Amaewhule said that there was no approval, no budgetary allocation, no appropriation law, and billions of public funds went down the drain in futile actions.

    “It’s important that they come and bring themselves forward for this investigation and that’s exactly what this motion has said,” he explained.

    Amaewhule said that the motion and the prayers were voted in favour by the 26 member against nil.

    He, however, said that the House did not condemn the refusal of the RSIEC’s chairman and others who failed to subject themselves to investigation by it.

    He added that the House had agreed to invite the bankers to the RSIEC to produce the commission’s bank statements from Jan, 1, 2024 till date.

    Amaewhule stated that the power to also investigate the government of the River State was rested on the Assembly by virtue of the provisions of Section 128.

  • Fubara, aides denied entry into Rivers Assembly over budget re-presentation

    Fubara, aides denied entry into Rivers Assembly over budget re-presentation

    Rivers State Governor,Siminialayi Fubara and his entourage have been denied entry into the Assembly Quarters of the House of Assembly on Wednesday.

    The Governor and some members of his executive council, arrived the quarters in the morning of Wednesday but met the gate locked.

    Fubara, who wore a white outfit with a red cap, said he was at the Assembly Quarters to re-present the 2026 Appropriation Bill in line with the Supreme Court’s judgement.

    Two key officials, who accompanied the Governor to the quarter, where the House of Assembly is located along Aba Road, were the Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie and the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Tammy Danagogo.

    The governor could be heard saying: “Is the gate locked” before speaking on the reason for his visit.

    He complained that he was at the House of Assembly quarters to re-present the 2025 Appropriation Bill in line with the Supreme Court’s judgement, but met the gate to the Assembly locked.

    The Governor said he had made a lot of efforts to reach Rivers Speaker and other lawmakers to no avail.

    Fubara said he also sent a letter to the Speaker for an invitation to re+present the budget but has got no reply, adding that he was only acting for the interest of the state.

    The Governor said: “I came here this morning with few of my EXCO members to comply with the Supreme Court judgment. Before my arrival I have made several attempts by phone call to reach the Speaker and other members.

    “I also did a letter personally which was transmitted to the Hon. Speaker for this particular invitation. But it is unfortunate that at the gate, the place is completely sealed, and there is no sign that anything is going to happen today.

    “The reason why we are doing this, like I have always said is the interest of our people which is the most important thing. Well I don’t think there is anything to worry about, maybe they are working on the letter, and I expect to hear from them may be after this hour”.

  • Rivers Assembly issues warrant of arrest on state electoral commission chairman

    Rivers Assembly issues warrant of arrest on state electoral commission chairman

    The Rivers State House of Assembly has issued a warrant of arrest on the Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Justice Adolphus Enebeli (rtd) following his refusal to appear before the lawmakers.

    The arrest warrant was issued on Monday by the lawmakers during a plenary after the 72-hour ultimatum they gave to Enebeli expired.

    The lawmakers on Friday last week renewed the ultimatum from 48 hours to 72 to enable the RISIEC boss appear on the floor of the House to answer questions on the circumstances that surrounded the nullified October 2024 local government elections.

    Enebeli was expected to appear alongside other RISIEC commissioners, but failed to do so.

    The RISIEC boss and his commissioners, however, filed a suit at the State High Court challenging the resolutions of the lawmakers.

    Details to follow…

  • Judgement: Fubara invites Rivers Assembly members to meeting

    Judgement: Fubara invites Rivers Assembly members to meeting

    Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara has invited the state House of Assembly members to a meeting to discuss, among other things, the payment of all their outstanding remuneration and allowances.

    Fubara, made the invite in a letter, dated March 7, 2025, signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Tammy Danagogo and issued to the Speaker of the House, Martins Amaewhule.

    The meeting is scheduled for  10 a.m. on March 10, 2025 in the Office of the Governor, Government House, Port Harcourt.

    The letter which was made available to newsmen on Sunday in Port Harcourt is titled, ‘’Meeting Between the Governor of Rivers State and the Honourable Members, Rivers State House of Assembly.’’

    Fubara said that the meeting would also discuss the presentation of  budget and sundry matters, provision of a befitting space for the Assembly’s sitting, and any other necessary matter to chart a way forward.

    NAN recalls that Gov. Fubara on March, 5, announced that he  would comply with the court ruling once he received the Certified True Copy of the Supreme Court judgement.

    He confirmed in this letter that he has received the judgement.

  • Rivers Assembly declares pro-Fubara lawmakers’ seats vacant

    Rivers Assembly declares pro-Fubara lawmakers’ seats vacant

    The Hon. Martin Amaewhule-led faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly  declared the seats of 4 members of the House vacant for breaching the provision of the 1999 constitution on abstention from plenary.

    The affected members are Edison Ehie, currently Chief of Staff Government House; Victor Oko-Jumbo, current factional speaker of the Assembly; Adolphus Timothy Oruibienimigha; and Sokari Goodboy Sokari, representing Ahoada East II, Bonny, Opobo/Nkoro, and Ahoada West Constituency, respectively.

    Ehie served briefly as factional speaker of the Rivers Assembly and was the one who declared the seats of Amaewhule and his group of 26 other members vacant after they announced their now controversial defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Announcing the assembly’s action during plenary on Tuesday, Amaewhule stated that the assembly relied on the combined provisions of Section 109 (1)(e), (f), and Section 109 (2) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

    On the status of Victor Oko-Jumbo and the two others, the House held three separate votes to declare their seats vacant for absenteeism from sitting for 152 days consecutively without notification or permission, in violation of the 1999 constitution.

    A press statement by Martins Wachukwu, Special Assistant on Media to Amaewhule, added that the assembly further agreed to write to INEC to conduct elections to replace the vacant seats within 90 days to provide representation for their people.

    The statement explained that the motion for the assembly’s action was moved by the House Leader, Hon. Major Jack, and co-sponsored by 25 other Members, that the seats of these 4 members be declared vacant for their continued refusal or failure to attend and participate in legislative meetings of the House, without just cause for a period amounting in aggregate to more than one-third of the total number of days the House met in the First Session of the 10th Assembly and for also being absent in the past fifty-six (56) legislative sittings of the Second Session.

    “Debating the motion, members spoke in unison in support of the motion and sympathised with those constituencies whose voices have been drowned in the House for about one year because of the abdication of legislative duties by their representatives,” the statement added.

    The statement went on: “Commenting on the motion, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule, recalled that after the peace parley that was held at the instance of the President, the House withdrew its impeachment notice on the Governor and also recalled the four suspended members, yet they have obstinately refused to attend sittings of the House.

    “When the Speaker put the question, the House voted in the affirmative that the seats of the 4 members be declared vacant and the Independent National Electoral Commission be notified to conduct elections to fill the vacancies.

    “Rt. Hon. Amaewhule reiterated that given the fact the Court of Appeal upheld all the injunctive orders given by the Federal High Court, Governor Siminialayi Fubara is again enjoined to present the 2024 Appropriate Bill to the House.

    “Earlier, the Leader of the House, Hon. Major Jack, had informed the House that he was in receipt of the judgement of the Court of Appeal, which upheld the judgement of Justice Omotosho of the Federal High Court, which recognised the authenticity of the Rivers State House of Assembly under the Speakership of Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, which was appealed against by Governor Fubara.”

     

  • Rivers Assembly confirms new commissioners appointed by Gov Fubara

    Rivers Assembly confirms new commissioners appointed by Gov Fubara

    The Rivers State House of Assembly, on Monday, screened and confirmed four Commissioner nominees presented by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

    The commissioner nominees include Dr Israel Ngbuelu, Mr Evans Bipi, Mr Otamiri Ngubo and Mr Benebo Anabraba.

    Speaker of the House, Mr Victor Oko-Jumbo, announced during plenary that the governor forwarded a letter containing four names for screening and confirmation.

    The House Leader, Mr Sokari Good-boy, said that three of the nominees were former members of the house, “who served diligently during their tenure” as lawmakers.

    He, therefore, urged his colleagues to allow the trio to take a bow and go. The House, however, screened the fourth nominee before confirming all of them.

    The Speaker later announced their confirmation and advised them to bring their wealth of experience to bear in the development of the State.

  • Rivers: Court dismisses suit seeking to replace 27 pro-Wike lawmakers

    Rivers: Court dismisses suit seeking to replace 27 pro-Wike lawmakers

    A Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday, dismissed a suit seeking an order declaring the seats of the the 27 members of the Rivers House of Assembly loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, vacant.

    Justice Peter Lifu, in a judgment, held that the suit instituted by the Action People’s Party (APP) was statute barred, having not been filed within 14 days allowed by law.

    NAN reports that the 27 lawmakers, led by Martin Amaewhule, were said to have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Dec. 11, 2023.

    However, the Action People’s Party (APP) filed the case on July 12, a period of 8 months after the cause of action emanated.

    Delivering the judgment, Justice Lifu held that the case was a gross abuse of court process on the ground that several suits on the alleged defection of the same 27 lawmakers had been adjudicated upon by the Federal Hgh Court (FHC).

    The judge, who cited the previous judgments of the FHC delivered by Justice James Omotosho, said that the request for replacement of the lawmakers had earlier been rejected due to lack of sufficient evidence to establish the defection of the legislators.

    He recalled that in the earlier judgment, Justice Omotosho restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from declaring the seats of the lawmakers vacant and from conducting any fresh election.

    Justice Lifu said that since the judgment had not been set aside and not appealed against, it remained binding with force of law as far as the issue of defection is concerned for the 27 legislators.

    He said that it would amount to display of judicial rascality for him to sit as an Appeal Court in the judgment of the same court.

    The judge subsequently dismissed the suit.

  • Court declares 25 Rivers Assembly seats vacant

    Court declares 25 Rivers Assembly seats vacant

    A High Court in Port Harcourt on Thursday ordered that the seats of the 25 lawmakers who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress, vacant, pending the determination of a suit.

    Justice Charles Wali gave the order in Suit No PHC/1512/CS/2024, filed by Victor Jumbo, Speaker, Rivers House Of Assembly, Sokari Sokari and Orubienimigha Timothy, on the current crises rocking the state Assembly.

    The court ordered Martin Amaewhule, the factional speaker of the house to stop parading himself as the speaker of the assembly.

    The court also bared the 24 defected lawmakers from posing as lawmakers in the state.

    “An Order of Interlocutory Injunction is granted restraining the first to 25th defendants from parading themselves as members of the Rivers House of Assembly and/or meeting/sitting at the Auditorium of the House of Assembly Quarters located at  Aba Road, Port Harcourt,

    “Their legislative seats are hereby declared vacant pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

    “An order of Interlocutory Injunction is hereby made restraining the 26th to 28th defendants from dealing with, interfacing, accepting any resolutions, bills and/or interacting with the first to 25th descendants in their purported capacities as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly,

    “Their legislative seats having been declared vacant with effect from Dec. 13,2023 pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

    “That this case is adjourned to July, 1, 2024 for mention,”the court held.