The political crisis in Rivers State may be easing as Governor Siminalayi Fubara has invited Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and other lawmakers for a meeting in a bid to prioritise the state’s interests.

In a letter signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, and addressed to Speaker Martins Amaewhule, the governor stated that the meeting was in compliance with the recent Supreme Court judgment on the state’s political crisis.

The Supreme Court had last Monday ruled that the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Accountant General of the Federation must withhold Rivers State’s allocations until an appropriation law is enacted by the State Assembly. The court also ordered Amaewhule and 26 other lawmakers to resume their legislative duties without hindrance. Justice Emmanuel Agim, who delivered the lead judgment, ruled that Fubara had no justification for obstructing the Assembly’s activities.

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Additionally, the Supreme Court nullified the Rivers State local government elections conducted on 5 October 2024, upholding a Federal High Court judgment in Abuja that had barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing the voters’ register for the election. Justice Jamilu Tukur ruled that the necessary laws and conditions for the election had not been met.

Following the judgment, the Assembly issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the governor to re-present the 2025 Appropriation Bill. In response, Fubara assured that he would implement the Supreme Court judgment without reservation. As part of this commitment, he directed the Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) to assume control of the 23 local government councils pending fresh elections by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).

The governor, while expressing his disagreement with the ruling, affirmed that he was duty-bound to comply with the court’s decision, stating that his administration would act on the judgment only after thorough legal review.

Having received a certified true copy of the judgment, Fubara, through Dr. Danagogo, invited the lawmakers to a meeting to discuss the way forward. The letter outlined key agenda items, including provision of a suitable space for the Assembly’s sittings, payment of outstanding remuneration and allowances, re-presentation of the budget, and other matters necessary for the state’s progress.

The meeting was scheduled for today, 10 March 2025, at the governor’s office in Port Harcourt. The letter expressed appreciation to the Speaker and anticipated his cooperation in advancing the state’s best interests.

Meanwhile, former chairmen of Ijaw-dominated local government areas in Rivers State have condemned threats by some Ijaw ethnic group members regarding Fubara’s possible impeachment. They criticised calls to disrupt oil production in the state in response to the Supreme Court judgment.

Former campaign coordinators for Fubara urged security agencies, including the police and the Department of State Services (DSS), to enforce the court’s ruling. The ex-chairmen, members of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), argued that Fubara had failed to seize opportunities for resolving the crisis, including the Presidential intervention.

They also denounced organisations such as the Ijaw National Congress and factions of the Ijaw Youth Council for using ethnic identity to promote violence.

“We strongly condemn these empty threats and urge the Federal Government and Nigerians to disregard statements that cast the Ijaw people in a negative light,” they stated.