The Supreme Court, led by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji, has dismissed an appeal by Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, which sought to challenge the leadership of the State House of Assembly under Speaker Martin Amaewhule.
The decision came after Fubara’s counsel, Yusuf Ali, withdrew the suit. As part of the ruling, the court ordered Fubara to pay a sum of two million naira to the Rivers State House of Assembly and Amaewhule as compensation.
The ongoing political crisis in Rivers State is fueled by a power struggle between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike. At the heart of this conflict is Martin Amaewhule, Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, who is widely regarded as a key ally of Wike.
Governor Fubara’s attempt to unseat Amaewhule intensified the political crisis, as it was seen as a direct challenge to Wike’s authority. This move led to a deep division in the House of Assembly, splitting it into two factions.
Amaewhule commanded the loyalty of 27 out of 31 lawmakers, most of whom were aligned with Wike, while a smaller faction, led by Edison Ehie, remained loyal to Fubara.
The larger faction, under Amaewhule, initiated impeachment proceedings against Fubara, escalating the political tension. In response, Fubara took controversial steps, such as demolishing the state assembly complex and withholding funds, actions that were later ruled unconstitutional by the courts.
The crisis caught national attention, prompting President Bola Tinubu to intervene. A peace agreement was brokered to resolve the dispute, leading to the withdrawal of court cases and the suspension of impeachment proceedings. The agreement also reinstated Amaewhule as Speaker in an effort to restore stability to the state government.
Despite this settlement, tensions remain high. Both Wike and Fubara continue to strategize to strengthen their respective political positions, keeping Rivers State’s political landscape volatile.
TSJ
