The Rivers State House of Assembly celebrates the Supreme Court’s ruling as a victory for democracy, reinforcing its legitimacy and condemning Governor Fubara’s unconstitutional actions. The judgement mandates financial restrictions on the state government and nullifies illegal appointments, marking a significant turning point in the political landscape of Rivers State.
PORT HARCOURT, Rivers State — The Rivers State House of Assembly has categorically praised the Supreme Court’s decision as a decisive win for democracy and the rule of law in a historic event that has sent shockwaves through the state’s power structures.
Members of the Assembly, led by Speaker Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule, burst in cheers at Friday’s 129th Legislative Sitting of the Second Session in response to the ruling that affirms their legitimacy and challenges Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The historic ruling, delivered by the apex court, confirms the House as the properly constituted legislative body of Rivers State while invalidating all unconstitutional measures taken by Governor Fubara amid the protracted political crisis.
With a fervour borne of years of political struggle, Assembly members have hailed the decision as the beginning of the end for a regime that has long flouted democratic norms.
A Victory Carved in Stone
Speaking passionately in the chamber, Speaker Amaewhule stated, “We believe that now that the Supreme Court has spoken, Governor Fubara will repent from his legion of sins.”
His words carried the weight of experience and conviction, resonating with those who have witnessed the gradual erosion of democratic processes in the state.
The Speaker’s declaration is a pointed reminder that every act of subversion against the constitution will eventually be met with justice, no matter how deeply entrenched it may appear.
The judgement came on the heels of a statement by House Leader Hon. Major Jack, who informed the Assembly of the court’s orders.
Among the key directives, the court mandated that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant-General of the Federation immediately halt the release of funds to the Rivers State Government.
This financial straitjacket remains in force until an Appropriation Bill is duly presented to and approved by the 27-member House.
Furthermore, the Supreme Court nullified the purported local government elections conducted in October 2024—a decision that has thrown into sharp relief the myriad irregularities that have plagued the state’s political processes.
A Scathing Rebuke of Fubara’s Regime
The Assembly’s jubilation was tinged with righteous indignation as Speaker Amaewhule condemned Governor Fubara for his unlawful actions. The Speaker denounced the governor’s decision to run what he described as a “criminal government” by bypassing the constitutional mandates.
Fubara’s notorious attempts to govern without a fully constituted legislature—including the demolition of the House of Assembly building and the installation of unvetted appointees—were castigated as nothing short of brazen acts of defiance against the rule of law.
“The Supreme Court has silenced the illegitimacy of your appointments and your attempts to subvert the democratic process,” Amaewhule asserted. His remark not only underscored the gravity of the governor’s transgressions but also served as a clarion call for accountability.
The Speaker’s assertion that those “criminals” and “impostors” would soon desist from their parading as legitimate appointees is a promise that the wheels of justice, once set in motion, cannot be easily stopped.
Solidarity and the Call for Constitutional Renewal
The Assembly’s response to the judgement was not solely an exercise in self-affirmation; it was a powerful statement in defence of constitutional governance.
In his address, Speaker Amaewhule extended his gratitude to the Justices of the Supreme Court, recognising their impartial and courageous decision.
He also paid tribute to Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and a stalwart advocate for the democratic principles that underpin Nigerian polity.
The Speaker emphasised that the ruling dismantles every facet of Fubara’s illegal government. All appointments made during the crisis—including those of commissioners and the so-called attorney general—are rendered null and void.
By compelling the Rivers State Government to present its budget solely to the constitutionally recognised 27-member Assembly, the Supreme Court has reasserted the primacy of the legislature over unilateral executive actions.
A Turning Point for Rivers State
As the Assembly convenes in a renewed spirit of democratic vigour, the message is unequivocal: the era of unchecked impunity in Rivers State is drawing to a close. With the Supreme Court’s judgement now etched in law, the governor’s transgressions stand exposed for all to see, and the call for repentance grows louder.
The hope is that Fubara, faced with the inexorable force of judicial authority and the united voice of the people’s representatives, will finally abandon his path of constitutional disregard.
In this defining moment, the Rivers State House of Assembly—and indeed all of Nigeria—witnesses a pivotal turning point. The restoration of the rule of law promises not only to reinstate democratic order in Rivers State but also to serve as an enduring reminder that no one, regardless of power or position, is above the law.
