In a bold move, the Rivers State House of Assembly, during its 159th Legislative Sitting, defied Governor Siminialayi Fubara’s veto and successfully passed the Rivers State Local Government (Amendment) Bill into Law.
Originally passed by the House on March 13, 2024, the Local Government (Amendment) Bill faced resistance from Governor Fubara, who declined to assent to it. Undeterred by the Governor’s stance, the House, led by the Majority Leader, Hon. Major Jack, revisited the bill and engaged in thorough debates before proceeding with its enactment.
Relying on the constitutional provision stipulated in Section 100(5) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which empowers the House to override the Governor’s veto, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, posed the question to the Members. With an overwhelming two-thirds majority vote, the House decisively agreed to override the Governor’s veto and officially passed the Bill into Law.
In a parallel development, the House undertook the screening and confirmation of nominees for the positions of Chairman and Members of the Assembly Service Commission. Following meticulous screening processes, Barr. Sampson Worlu emerged as Chairman, accompanied by Hon. Abinye Blessing Pepple, Mrs. Blessing Belema Derefaka, Mr. Gbaranen Robinson, and Madam Dorcas Amos as Members of the Commission.
It is noteworthy that on March 22, 2024, the House had previously passed the Rivers State Assembly Service Commission (Amendment) Bill into Law, thereby reclaiming the authority to appoint the Chairman and Members of the Assembly Service Commission.
Amidst these legislative milestones, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Amaewhule, conveyed somber news of the passing of Mr. Lucky Amadi, husband to the honorable Member for Obio/Akpor Constituency II, Hon. Emilia Lucky Amadi. The Speaker announced plans for Members to extend their condolences through a visit to their grieving colleague.
