Rivers crisis: Legislators Remove Governor Fubara’s Authority to Appoint LG Caretakers

The Rivers State House of Assembly has passed the Rivers State Local Government (Amendment) Bill, disregarding Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s approval.

The new legislation removes the governor’s power to establish caretaker committees for local government regions and mandates the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission to conduct elections before the expiration of the local government chairman’s tenure.

Additionally, the law states that if the local government election cannot take place for any reason, the sitting chairmen’s tenure will be extended by a maximum of six months. This marks the sixth time that the House has overridden the governor to enact laws.

The decision was made during the 159th Legislative sitting of the House, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, at the Assembly Quarters in Port Harcourt. The Assembly’s statement, released by the media aide to the Speaker, Martins Wachukwu, confirmed the decision.

The Assembly initially passed the Local Government (Amendment) Bill on March 13, 2014, and sent it to the governor for approval.

However, Fubara withheld his assent, leading the lawmakers to threaten an override.

The Assembly and the governor have had a strained relationship since late last year, following Fubara’s fallout with his predecessor and political mentor, Nyesom Wike. Twenty-seven members of the Assembly, including the Speaker, are loyal to Wike and attempted to impeach Fubara in October.

President Bola Tinubu’s intervention briefly calmed the situation, but recent developments indicate that the key players are once again engaged in conflict.

The Speaker’s aide released a statement on Monday, emphasizing the determination of the House to carry out its constitutional responsibilities. The Majority Leader, Hon. Major Jack, presented the bill again, which was then debated by members.

Following the provisions of Section 100(5) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, the House, under the leadership of Speaker Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, voted with a two-thirds majority to override the governor’s veto and pass the bill into law.

Additionally, the House conducted screenings and confirmed nominees for the chairman and members of the Assembly Service Commission. Among those confirmed were Sampson Worlu as Chairman, along with Abinye Blessing Pepple, Mrs. Blessing Belema Derefaka, Mr. Gbaranen Robinson, and Madam Dorcas Amos as members.

The statement highlighted that on March 22, 2024, the Assembly had passed the Rivers State Assembly Service Commission (Amendment) Bill, granting itself the authority to appoint the chairman and members of the Commission.

Despite attempts to reach the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Joseph Johnson, for comment, our correspondent was unable to connect with him as his line was busy, and he had not responded to text or WhatsApp messages by Monday evening.