…Threatens lawsuit.
By: Felix Ikpotor
Following the pressure on Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara to re-present the 2024 Budget before the Martin Amaewhule led faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly, the Rivers State Civil Society Organisation, RIVSCO, has called on the governor not to yield to the pressure of recognizing the faction.
According to a statement signed by its Chairman and Secretary, Comrade Enefaa Georgewill and Comrade Lenu Solomon respectively, the organisation said recognising the Amaewhule led assembly amounts to a violation of the governor’s oath of office.
The civil society organisation insisted that the Amaewhule led assembly does not exist in the eyes of the law haven willingly defected from the party on whose platform they won elections to another party.
“We have watched with keen interest desperate efforts made by very few people and anti- democratic elements to subvert democracy and undermine the sacred office of the executive Governor of our dear state. This is unfortunate to say the least, if not criminal at worst.
“While we understand your calculation of political exigency, we wish that you refuse to sucumb to pressure to be part of a process clearly intended to further desecrate the constitution of Nigeria by acceding to the whims and caprices of a tiny few that have made politics a means of production and no more. The Martin Amaehule led House of Assembly do not exist in the eyes of the law by the provisions of section 109(1)(g) of the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria. To pretend to constitute itself to conduct the business of legislation on behalf of Rivers state is untoward, illegal and reprehensible and more to sustain a correspondence with the office of the Governor to the extent of making demands for the representation of the Rivers State 2024 budget before it is illegal, self serving and is the height of travesty never before heard nor seen in our land.
“As at today, that budget (The 2024 appropriation Bill) is currently passed into law and should be implemented for the enjoyment of our people and to make Rivers State a better place”, the group said.
The group further urged the governor not to be distracted but should continue to carry on his constitutional duties.
“We as the foremost Civil Society Organizations in Rivers State, not only stand by you, insisting that you refuse to be distracted but carry on with your constitutional mandate of working for the best interest of Rivers people, applying their resources meticulously and justifying service delivery per resources and securing them against internal and external aggression against the dictates of self serving politicians that have no other history of public service except prebendal politics.
“Be informed your Excellency, that our stated stand to be with and vigilantly watch out carefully for anti-democratic elements and their sponsors, to name and shame them is not a mere promise but as a practical action can never be overemphasized as we have concluded plans to approach the courts to give life to yearnings and aspirations and ensure that the due process of the law is followed in issues partainning to the present externally induced internal crisis primarily intended to desecrate your office, undermine our constitutional democracy by usurping political power in the state.
“Our match to the state house today is to express our solidarity and support on this matter and to assure you that we are watching but more than that, we will exhaust all avenues in law to ensure that the illegally constituted House of Assembly does not constitute itself unto a law to threaten democracy and the rule of law in our dear state.
“To represent the budget is giving vent to anarchy and encourage political stupidity which we cannot afford in this critical moment. We encourage you to be law abiding as expected and no force under the earth can over run you nor subvert our democracy”, the statement said.
Port Harcourt Spectator recalls that the Amaewhule led Rivers State House of Assembly at one of it’s sitting recently, urged the governor to re-present the budget before it inline with the Abuja Accord signed in December 2023 and re-enforced by an Abuja High Court judgement delivered by Justice Kayode Omotosho on Monday.
