In the growing political tension in Rivers State, the House of Assembly on Friday, passed four bills aimed at curbing the governor’s authority to appoint caretaker chairmen for local government areas in the state.
The bills were passed by the lawmakers loyal to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory Governor Nyesom Wike, who is also a former governor of the state.
The new laws said to be without the consent of Governor Sim Fubara are; “the Rivers Local Government Amendment Law; The Rivers State Traditional Rulers Amendment Law, The Rivers State Advertisement and Use of State Owned Property Prohibition repeal law and The Rivers State Funds Management and Financial Autonomy Law.”
The lawmakers relied on Section 100 subsection 5 to override the governor’s assent, insisting that the governor is not required for the passage into law of the said bills.
Speaking during the plenary on Friday, 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.
He reminded his colleagues the provision of the law in section 100 sub-section 5 which 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.”
He accused the governor of not planning to conduct local government elections in the state, citing the reasons the governor gave for withholding his assent.
According to the Speaker, “the key thing here is that this law removes the power of the Governor to appoint Caretaker Committee Chairmen for the Local Governments, the Governor is not happy that we’re removing his powers to appoint caretaker chairmen.”
The escalating political crisis ravaging Rivers State follows a prolonged disagreement between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, political godfather and now Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
Rivers State was plunged into political crisis between October 29 and 30, 2023, when the hallowed chamber of the House of Assembly was burnt, following alleged moves to impeach Fubara.
Central to the weeks-long fracas is Fubara’s allegation that Wike embezzled N9billion from Rivers State coffers, vowing to reveal more cases of alleged corruption. In response, Wike stated that he was ready for any confrontation.
That consequently led to the emergence of two factional speakers – Matins Amaehule, who is loyal to Wike; and Edison Ehie, a strong supporter of Fubara.
Ehie resigned his election and urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct fresh election in his constituency to elect his replacement.