Rivers Crisis: Fubara Directs SSG To Invite Pro-Wike’s 27 Lawmakers To Government House

…To discuss presentation of budget, others

By Tony John

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has scheduled a meeting with the 27 members of the State House of Assembly.

Secretary to the State Government, Tammy Danagogo, announced this in a letter addressed to the Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, dated 7th March 2025.

Danagogo said the letter followed a directive from Fubara to write to the House of Assembly after acknowledging the receipt of the Supreme Court judgement on 5th March.

At the meeting, slated for Monday (10th March), issues to be discussed are the presentation of the budget and sundry matters, as well as the payment of all outstanding remuneration or allowances of lawmakers.

Also to be discussed are the provision of a befitting space for the Assembly’s sittings and any other matter(s), as may be necessary, to chart the way forward in the interest of the state.

“I hereby write in furtherance of His Excellency’s promise stated in my letter dated 5th March 2025 to notify you that His Excellency has received the Supreme Court judgement, and has therefore directed me to invite you and your colleagues—the Honourable members of Rivers State House of Assembly, to a meeting.”

Fubara’s proposed meeting with the lawmakers came after the 48-hour ultimatum the House gave him to present the 2025 budget on or before Wednesday, 5th March, which the governor did not honour.

At the Friday plenary, Speaker of the House, Amaewhule, had noted the governor’s refusal to honour their invitations, declaring that the House would address the infractions squarely.

Similarly, the legislators had on Wednesday directed the governor to send the list of his commissioner-nominees for screening, which was also ignored.

On Friday, the commissioners serving under Fubara, who are not recognised by the 27 Assembly members, had gone to a Rivers State High Court to obtain a restraining order for appearance before the House.

Hearing on the matter was adjourned till April this year.

(Culled from The Sun, excluding the headline)