BREAKING NEWS: Court Rules Fubara Can Govern With Just 3 Lawmakers, Deals Blow to Amaewhule-Led Assembly

By Emmanuel Kwada

In a landmark ruling, the Rivers State High Court has declared that Governor Siminalayi Fubara is legally empowered to transact business with the three lawmakers who have not vacated their seats in the state house of assembly. This decision was made on December 20, when presiding judge Sika Aprioku dismissed a suit seeking to compel the governor to represent the 2024 budget to the Martin Amaewhule-led assembly.

The suit, filed by the Registered Trustees of the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners, had sought to compel the governor to represent the 2024 budget to the 27 lawmakers led by Amaewhule for passage into law. However, Aprioku ruled that Governor Fubara could transact business with the members who did not vacate their seats, citing a precedent set by former Governor Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, who had presented budgets and financial bills with only six members when the numbers were less than two-thirds of the 32 members.

Until the Supreme Court gives its verdict on the issue of jurisdiction, which affects the status of the 27 lawmakers, it is only those who did not vacate their seats that the Governor can constitutionally approach to present the budget

The court also stated that until the Supreme Court gives its verdict on the issue of jurisdiction, which affects the status of the 27 lawmakers, it is only those who did not vacate their seats that the Governor can constitutionally approach to present the budget, appoint chief judges and president, customary court, screen commissioners, including the attorney general, and make board appointments. The claimant’s claim seeking declaratory and injunctive reliefs for the representation of the 2024 budget to the former 27 lawmakers was dismissed, with a cost of N500,000.00 awarded in favor of the defendants.

This ruling is a significant development in the ongoing power struggle in Rivers State, and it remains to be seen how the parties involved will respond to the court’s decision.