Rivers Crisis Worsens As Wike’s Men Block Gov Fubara, Override Him

Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have intensified their battle with Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The latest move in this regard was that they passed a bill that strips the Governor of the power to appoint caretaker committees for local government areas. The bill, known as the Rivers Local Government Amendment Law, was one of four passed to override the Governor’s earlier veto.

In response to the Governor’s veto, the assembly also passed the Rivers State Traditional Rulers Amendment Law, the Rivers State Advertisement and Use of State-Owned Property Prohibition Repeal Law, and the Rivers State Funds Management and Financial Autonomy Law.

This move by the assembly came on the same day that Governor Fubara swore in nine pro-Wike commissioners who had resigned during the crisis between the Governor and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.

Governor Fubara, referring to the circumstances surrounding the commissioners’ resignation, mentioned that they were caught in the crossfire. The Local Government Amendment Law also implies that the state must conduct local government elections within the next two months when the current officials’ three-year tenure expires.

Martins Wachukwu, Special Adviser on Media to Speaker Martin Amaewhule, explained that the House bypassed the Governor’s assent for the bills after receiving a letter justifying the veto. The Governor argued that such amendments could create confusion and breach constitutional provisions.

However, the Speaker invoked Section 100(5) of the 1999 amended Constitution, stating that the House had the power to override the Governor’s veto with a two-thirds majority.

Amaewhule highlighted the Governor’s dissatisfaction with the removal of his powers to appoint caretaker chairmen for local governments. He described the amendments as anticipatory and aimed at creating impracticable conditions for holding elections in the state.

The House vowed to strengthen democratic institutions and ethos in the state, ensuring copies of the laws are transmitted to relevant departments and agencies.