Rivers State lawmakers loyal to the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Wednesday locked out the state governor, Mr Siminalaye Fubara from the assembly complex.
It was learnt that the governor was at the assembly quarters to re-present the 2025 budget to the lawmakers under the leadership of the speaker, Amaewhule.
The Amaewhule-led assembly is made up of 27 lawmakers loyal to the minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike.
A video clip circulating on Facebook showed that when Fubara and his entourage arrived at the entrance of the assembly quarters, the gates were locked.
Premium Times quoted the governor as accusing the speaker of deliberately avoiding him.
“Before my arrival here, I made several attempts to speak to the speaker. I also sent a letter which was transmitted for this particular invitation.
“Unfortunately, at the gate, you can see that the place is completely sealed, and there is no sign that anything is going to happen today,” Fubara told journalists.
Recall that following the demolition of the assembly complex in December 2023, the 27 lawmakers began to use their official quarters as the chamber for legislative duties.
Meanwhile, the Ijaw National Congress (INC) has reacted to the assembly blockade saying any attempt to impeach the governor would have grave economic consequences for Nigeria.
The president of INC, Prof Benjamin Okaba said the lawmakers’ actions prove they are not interested in peace or the welfare of Rivers people but are instead serving Wike’s personal agenda.
“These lawmakers are acting this way because Wike personally financed their election. He handpicked them, and he said so publicly. That is why I am not surprised by their behavior.”
He criticised the blockade of the assembly complex, emphasising that Fubara’s decision to comply with the Supreme Court ruling should not be mistaken for weakness.
“Some people say Sim Fubara is weak, but he is only respecting the rule of law. He assured the President that he would implement the Supreme Court’s judgment, so why should the lawmakers block him from entering the Assembly?”
“These same lawmakers gave the Governor 48-hour and 72-hour ultimatums to present the budget. They also demanded that he sack 19 Commissioners. If he sacks the commissioners, including the commissioner for finance, who then prepares the budget?”
Okaba warned that any impeachment of Fubara would be met with strong resistance.
“If they go ahead and impeach Sim Fubara recklessly, we will resist it. The consequences will be too heavy for the entire country to bear. This is not a threat—it is a reality,” he said.
Also reacting, Wike should the lawmakers decide to impeach Fubara for alleged impeachable offences, which, according to him, include withholding their salaries for months, heaven would not fall.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, Wike said: “If you have committed an offence to be impeached, what’s wrong? Is it a criminal offence? It’s provided in the constitution. Am I a member of the Assembly?
“If you have committed an infraction of the constitution and the Assembly deems it fit to say, you should be impeached.
“I have heard people say: ‘Oh, if they impeach him, there will be a breakdown of law and order’. Rubbish! Nothing will happen,” the minister said.
Recall that the Supreme Court had on February 28, 2025, ordered the Amaewhule-led assembly to resume sitting immediately with other elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The court also barred the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the accountant general of the federation, and other agencies from releasing funds to the Rivers State until its House of assembly set up aligns with the dictate of the constitution.
The apex further ruled that the local government election conducted in the state in October 2024 was invalid.
*With Vanguard report
