Pro-Fubara lawmakers counter Amaewhule, giving the governor the go-ahead to spend government funds. Get insights into this political development.

Victor Oko-Jumbo, who heads the Rivers State House of Assembly, has criticized Martin Amaewhule-led House’s decision to prevent Governor Siminalayi Fubara from utilizing public funds.

During plenary on Tuesday, Victor Oko-Jumbo stated this in his opening remark as the Speaker.

According to him, the actions of Amaewhule and 24 other former House members were baseless and lacked credibility.

Oko-Jumbo contended that the governor could not be prevented from using public funds, as there was no legal or moral foundation for the group to do so.

He maintained that Amaewhule and 24 others were no longer part of the Assembly due to their departure from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and joining the All Progressives Congress (APC) in December, 2023.

Supporting his position, he stated that the segment of the constitution regarding defection enforces itself.

of office was contested. Furthermore, he stated that the section became enforceable after Edison Ehie, who had been legally acknowledged as Speaker by a court prior to taking his seat in office being challenged, declared 25 seats vacant.

He declared that the Assembly he leads is the legally established division responsible for managing the statutory distribution of resources in the house.

According to Oko-Jumbo, it was clarified that the appropriation bill had been presented by Governor Fubara during Edison Ehie’s term as speaker of the house. Furthermore, he mentioned that after being passed, it was subsequently signed into law.

According to him, the house is anticipating the medium-term expenditure framework for the 2025 fiscal year presentation.

He requested that the public disregard the Amaewhule statement and implored the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to promptly arrange for a bye-election to fill up all 25 vacant seats in the house.

On Monday, the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly had halted all expenses made by the Rivers State governor.

The legislators provided a seven-day ultimatum to the governor, requiring him to present his budget before the House. Subsequently, this transpired.

Major Jack, the Leader of the House, put forth a motion after notifying members about the governor’s failure to present the 2024 budget within seven days as stipulated.

Following careful consideration, the House made a decision to close off access to the Rivers State Consolidated Revenue Account. This action effectively prohibits Governor Fubara’s administration from utilizing any funds for state expenditures.

Some months ago, Fubara presented the budget to a group of lawmakers who were loyal to him. At that time, Edison Ehie led the House of Assembly members and he currently serves as the governor’s chief of staff.

Later on, after Ehie and the lawmakers passed the budget estimates, it was signed into law by Fubara.