The Rivers State House of Assembly has accused Governor Siminialayi Fubara of frustrating the implementation of the Supreme Court’s judgment, particularly the directive for him to re-present the 2025 Appropriation Bill.
In a statement on Sunday, the Assembly urged the public to call on Governor Fubara to follow due process rather than whipping up sentiment to demonize lawmakers.
House Committee on Information Chairman, Dr. Enemi Alabo George, challenged Fubara to provide evidence of the letter he claimed to have sent to the Assembly regarding the budget presentation.
“We were astonished when the governor claimed he had sent a letter to the House, yet no such letter was received. His aides later alleged they sent it via WhatsApp, which is unprofessional and embarrassing,” George stated.
He accused Fubara of attempting to turn the public against the Assembly instead of engaging in due legislative processes.
George further alleged that efforts by lawmakers to work with the governor after the Supreme Court judgment were deliberately obstructed.
“Our letter requesting the governor to present the budget was rejected, and our staff were brutalized at the Government House gate. Even when we used a courier service, there was no response,” he said.
The Assembly also accused Fubara of refusing to submit a list of commissioners for screening, despite the Supreme Court invalidating several appointments.
George reminded the governor that the legislature is an independent arm of government and not his appendage. He quoted the Supreme Court’s ruling, which criticized the executive’s attempt to collapse the legislature and govern without it.
“We have suffered greatly—our chamber was burned, our allowances withheld for over a year—but we have chosen to move forward in the interest of Rivers people. However, the governor must not extend this punishment to the people,” George added.
He urged the public to demand that Fubara follows due process to ensure the smooth governance of the state.
In response, Rivers State Commissioner for Information, Joseph Johnson, dismissed the lawmakers’ claims, stating that they were fond of denying facts, including a letter that had already been made public.