By: Felix Ikpotor
Following the raging face-off between the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara and the State House of Assembly, the lawmakers have been urged to reconsider their actions and work with the governor to implement the recent Supreme Court judgment.
According to the government, the Assembly’s actions are a misrepresentation of the governor’s readiness to comply with the judgment, adding that the situation could lead to severe economic, social, and political crisis in the state.
Addressing a Press Conference, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Warisenibo Joe Johnson, warned that the consequences of the Assembly’s actions would be dire, with civil servants, retirees, and the people of the state facing unimaginable economic hardships.
He said that the government would be unable to pay salaries, pensions, and other emoluments, as well as perform other obligations, due to the seizure of revenue allocations by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant-General of the Federation.
The commissioner, in his address, tagged “Rivers People Facing Gloomy Future, as Uncooperative Actions of Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly Impeding Governor Fubara’s Readiness To Implement Supreme Court Judgment,” emphasized that the non-release of warehoused revenues due to the state from the Federation Account would ultimately ground the operation of all sectors of the government.
He urged the Assembly to reconsider their actions and work with the governor to implement the judgment, citing the potential dangers of inaction.
He also accused the State House of Assembly of impeding Fubara’s efforts to implement the Supreme Court judgment.
Johnson stated that Governor Fubara is prepared to re-present the 2025 budget and implement the Supreme Court judgment, but the Assembly’s actions are misrepresenting him as unwilling to comply.
He argued that the Governor has demonstrated good faith in the Supreme Court judgment, saying he, Fubara, in a statewide broadcast, accepted the judgment and committed to full compliance and implementation.
He added that the Governor, also ordered the ousted local government chairmen to hand over to the Heads of Local Government Administrations (HLGAs) and appealed to his supporters to accept the judgment in good faith, stressing that the Assembly has refused to cooperate with the governor, issuing ultimatums and warrants of arrest, and even accusing the Chief Judge of Rivers State of age falsification.
He further argued that despite the Assembly’s refusal to receive and acknowledge his letters, Governor Fubara has continued to extend olive branches, inviting the Assembly to a meeting to discuss the budget re-presentation, payment of their accumulated arrears of salaries and allowances, and provision of a more suitable venue for legislative businesses.
“We are appealing to the Assembly to reconsider their actions and work with the governor to implement the judgment.”
“The people of Rivers State are the ones who will suffer if the Assembly refuses to cooperate with the governor. We urge them to put the interest of the state and its people above personal and sectional interests,” Johnson said.
