Fubara’s Letter to Rivers Assembly on Supreme Court Verdict Is ‘Useless’ – Wike

Former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has dismissed Governor Fubara’s letter to the State Assembly regarding the Supreme Court verdict, calling it ‘useless.’ Read more on the political tension in Rivers.

Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has criticized Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s letter to the Rivers State House of Assembly as “useless.” The governor had requested a meeting with lawmakers to discuss implementing the Supreme Court’s decision regarding state political matters.

Wike, the former governor of the oil-rich South-South state, revealed this during a discussion with journalists in Abuja on Wednesday.

You’ve had a tense relationship with a branch of the government. If you consider yourself an adept politician, would your approach be simply writing and sending them a letter? And having it signed by the SSG—how insulting! Is that really how it should be handled? As someone in politics, you’d know there are better ways to address such issues.

“You are just trying to impress others, which is pointless. All these letters don’t serve any purpose; you’re not being genuine and are merely seeking attention,” he said.

The influential figure from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stated that Speaker Martins Amaewhule and other lawmakers in the Rivers Assembly are not aligned with Fubara, and they deserve to be treated with respect.

Wike suggested that, rather than sending a public letter to invite the House members, Fubara should have phoned Amaewhule and his team to arrange a meeting date and time.

On Friday, February 28, 2025, the Supreme Court issued a series of rulings concerning the political situation in the oil-rich South-South state.

In the judgment issued by Justice Emmanuel Akomaye, the court’s five-member panel unanimously rejected Fubara’s cross-appeal questioning the legitimacy of the House of Assembly with Martin Amaewhule serving as Speaker.

After rejecting Fubara’s appeal, the court instructed Martin Amaewhule to promptly resume his duties alongside other elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

The highest court similarly prohibited the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Accountant General of the Federation, and additional agencies from disbursing funds to the Government of Rivers State until it rectifies what was described by the court as blatant non-compliance with judicial orders.

Additionally, the supreme court ruled that the local government election held in the state on October 5, 2024, was invalid.

Fubara later stated that he would completely enforce the apex court’s decisions and instructed the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to develop plans for a new election.

The electoral commission scheduled a new local government election in the state for August 9, 2025.

In addition, Tammy Danagogo, the Secretary to the State Government, requested a meeting with lawmakers in a letter dated March 7, 2025. The proposed date for this discussion on re-presenting the 2025 budget and engaging in peace talks is March 10, 2025.