The political crisis in Rivers State escalated sharply on Thursday after Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule, delivered an explosive press briefing accusing Governor Siminalayi Fubara of “serial constitutional violations,” illegal spending, and refusal to work with the legislature — warning that Rivers State is now on the brink of a full confrontation between the executive and the Assembly.
Speaking in Port Harcourt, Amaewhule said the governor has repeatedly disregarded budgetary procedures, refused to present an appropriation bill for 2024 and 2025, and continued spending “from his trunk pockets,” suggesting the governor has been running the state without legislative approval for more than a year.
The Speaker alleged that during a committee meeting held at the peak of the emergency rule, lawmakers pleaded with Governor Fubara to present the budget so that government programmes could proceed lawfully.
“During that meeting, the Governor told us bluntly that he would not bring the budget,” Amaewhule stated. “God is my witness. As I speak here, God is here, and God knows I am not lying against the Governor.”
He added that since September — when the meeting was held — “the Governor has been spending without our approval, awarding contracts to his cronies, particularly those who masterminded the burning of the Rivers State Assembly.”
Amaewhule claimed these contractors “celebrate it on social media, mocking us that they have been rewarded for burning the Assembly.”
Assembly Accuses Governor of Dodging Peace Efforts
The Speaker said the Assembly had deliberately maintained silence for months to avoid escalating the crisis, but the governor’s public outbursts forced lawmakers to respond.
According to him, efforts made by the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, to broker peace were dismissed by the governor — despite the fact that the governor attended multiple meetings convened by the minister.
“We attended a meeting at the FCT Minister’s residence in Abuja — 27 of us. The Governor was in that meeting. Yet he later claimed no meeting was held,” Amaewhule said.
He added that another meeting was held at the residence of Chief Alabraba in Port Harcourt.
“How many meetings have I mentioned?” the Speaker asked. “How many meetings does the Governor want the FCT Minister to call before he does the needful? One hundred?”
₦600 Billion Left in State Account, Speaker Claims
In one of the briefing’s most striking revelations, Amaewhule claimed preliminary findings show that the outgone administrator left “over ₦600 billion” in the state account before the emergency rule ended.
“The Governor has been spending it and boasting about how he used the funds to try to divide the Assembly,” he said. “He needs to know that Assembly members are not for sale.”
Amaewhule accused Governor Fubara of reacting only when under criticism, describing him as a “reactionary leader” who rushes to the media instead of following due process.
“Because of just one committee report, he suddenly wants to recruit teachers,” the Speaker said. “He is the Governor of Rivers State; he ought to be a leader. At the moment, the Governor is failing.”
He further accused the governor of sponsoring online attacks against lawmakers: “Sending his attack dogs to insult us on social media will not help him.”
Assembly Says Governor Fought Their Move to APC — Now He’s in APC Himself
The Speaker also revealed that the Assembly had been preparing to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2023, but the governor responded by sponsoring over 50 court cases against them.
“But because we have God, all his attempts failed,” Amaewhule said.
He noted the irony of the governor eventually joining the APC after fighting the Assembly over the same intention:
“Where is the Governor today? He is in the APC. And we welcome him.”
“We support Mr. President for a second term”
Amaewhule reiterated that all 27 lawmakers remain committed to President Bola Tinubu’s political agenda — irrespective of party dynamics in Rivers State.
“All 27 members passed a resolution to support Mr. President for a second term. That remains our position,” he said.
Lawmakers Warn Governor: Respect the Constitution
Throughout the lengthy briefing, the Speaker repeatedly accused the governor of breaching constitutional provisions and refusing to honour agreements brokered by the Presidency.
“He was elected to govern and to lead. Let him focus on that,” Amaewhule warned. “Everything he is doing against the Constitution will not help him or his government.”
A Looming Showdown
With both sides entrenched and the Assembly signalling its readiness to “do the needful,” analysts believe Rivers State may be edging toward another major political confrontation.
The lawmakers insist they will not remain silent, while the governor maintains tight control of the executive arm.
As the Speaker concluded:
“We will refrain from saying too much for now, hoping he will do the needful. But Rivers people and Nigerians deserve to know the truth.”
