Fubara stalling S’Court judgement implementation, frustrating us

The Rivers State House of Assembly has accused Governor Siminialayi Fubara of obstructing the implementation of the Supreme Court’s ruling, particularly regarding the re-presentation of the 2025 Appropriation Bill.

The lawmakers urged the public to pressure the governor into following due process in presenting the budget rather than engaging in public theatrics to vilify them.

Speaking on Sunday in Port Harcourt, the Chairman of the House Committee on Information and Assembly Spokesperson, Dr. Enemi Alabo George, challenged Governor Fubara to produce an acknowledged copy of the letter he claimed to have sent to the Assembly.

George stated, “Last week, we were told that on his way to Ogoni for a programme, the governor made a stopover at the gate of the House of Assembly Quarters to grant an interview to the press. In that interview, he claimed that he had sent a letter to the House of Assembly indicating his intention to visit and present the appropriation bill, a claim we found rather astonishing as no such letter was received by the House of Assembly.

He further criticized the claim that the letter had been sent via WhatsApp, calling it unprofessional and embarrassing.

According to George, the governor has repeatedly disregarded attempts by the Assembly to resolve the ongoing crisis following the Supreme Court’s ruling.

“Recall after the recent Supreme Court judgment on the budget of our state, it became absolutely necessary for the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Joseph Fubara, to present the appropriation bill to the legislature for consideration and passage,” he said.

He alleged that efforts to communicate with the governor were met with resistance, including the rejection of official correspondence and even the alleged assault of Assembly staff attempting to deliver a letter to the Government House.

The lawmaker also accused the governor of directing ministries, agencies, and departments to cut off communication with the legislature.

“The Governor must be reminded that the House of Assembly is not an appendage of the executive and its members are not his slaves, bondservants, or serfs,” George said, referencing the constitutional separation of powers.

He recalled the Supreme Court’s strong remarks about governance in Rivers State, warning that the governor’s alleged approach risked crippling the state’s democratic process.

Lamenting the impact of the crisis on lawmakers, George described the situation as unbearable.

“We have seen hell: Our hallowed chamber was burnt down by the governor. The House of Assembly Complex was brought down by the Governor, totally demolished alongside our personal effects and belongings… Our Speaker’s residence was brutally attacked. Our residential quarters were brutally invaded by the governor. Our allowances have been seized for about a year and six months,” he said.

Despite their struggles, George insisted that lawmakers remained committed to ensuring the state moves forward. He called on the governor to act in the best interest of Rivers people, emphasizing the need to pay pensioners, teachers, and healthcare workers who depend on government funding.

In response, Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Barrister Joseph Johnson, dismissed the Assembly’s claims, stating that the lawmakers always deny anything concerning the governor. He questioned how they could claim not to have received a letter that was already circulating in the public domain.