The Rivers State House of Assembly has ruled against Governor Siminalayi Fubara to enact the state’s Service Commission Law on Friday during an impromptu sitting.
This instance makes it the second time the Rivers State House of Assembly will override the governor to pass a law this year.
In January, the lawmakers voted to override the governor and pass four bills into law.
This was after the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, read four letters addressed to him by the governor wherein he declined his assent to the four new bills which had been sent to him for assent.
The House had relied on Section 100, Subsection 5, to say that the assent of the governor was not required for the passage into law of the said bills.
The section stated that “where the Governor withholds assent and the bill is again passed by two-thirds majority, the bill shall become a law and the assent of the Governor shall not be required”.
History of Rift Between Fubara and The Rivers House of Assembly
In late 2023, the political tension between governor Fubara and some members of the Rivers state Assembly heightened, resulting in an impeachment move against the governor by the house, led by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule.
An impeachment sitting was scuttled by a mob and the Rivers state Assembly complex set on fire. The governor announced plans to demolish and renovate the Assembly complex.
The house became sectionalized, with 27 members loyal to former governor Nyesom Wike defecting to the APC from the governor’s party, the PDP.
A smaller faction headed by Honourable Ehie Edison sided with Fubara and declared the defected house members’s seats vacant. This would lead to a long legal battle.
Following the political tussles, 9 commissioners in Fubara’s cabinet, loyal to Wike, would resign their positions.
A truce was called by president Bola Tinubu and the warring parties were committed to a resolution document for peace.
Despite efforts to settle the issue, recent happenings in the state show the parties are still divided within the Rivers state political sphere.
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