The political crisis in Rivers State deepened on Friday following the Supreme Court’s ruling affirming Martin Amaewhule and 26 others as valid members of the State House of Assembly. The judgment, delivered in Abuja, sparked widespread jubilation among supporters of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, in Rivers State. The 27 lawmakers aligned with Wike, who benefited from the ruling, immediately convened a plenary session upon receiving the news. A viral video also surfaced showing Wike celebrating the court’s decision with political allies, including former and serving senators such as Allwell Onyesom, Magnus Abe, Kelechi Nwogu, Emeka Woke, and Chibudom Nwuche, as they sang and danced in gratitude.
Reacting to the ruling, Wike described it as a victory for democracy, emphasizing that the judgment reinforced the legal requirement for budgets to be presented to a duly constituted legislature. He criticized Governor Siminalayi Fubara, accusing him of attempting to dismantle an independent arm of government. The Supreme Court, in a ruling by a five-member panel, upheld the legitimacy of the Amaewhule-led Assembly, stating that it was unconstitutional for Governor Fubara to govern with only four out of 31 lawmakers. The justices censured Fubara for demolishing the Rivers State House of Assembly building, stating that his actions were aimed at preventing the 27 defected lawmakers from convening. Justice Emmanuel Agim, delivering the lead judgment, ordered the reinstatement of the Clerk and Deputy Clerk of the House, as well as other staff who had been unlawfully removed. He condemned Fubara’s reliance on executive immunity to justify his actions, describing it as an abuse of power, and ruled that the 27 lawmakers must be allowed to resume their duties without interference. The court further imposed a ₦5 million cost against the governor.
In a separate decision, the Supreme Court directed the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Accountant-General of the Federation to halt the disbursement of funds to the Rivers State Government until the House of Assembly is properly constituted in line with the 1999 Constitution. Justice Agim upheld a prior ruling by the Federal High Court, which had barred the release of state allocations. Furthermore, the apex court declared the October 5, 2024, local government elections in Rivers State invalid. Justice Jamilu Tukur, delivering the judgment, annulled the election on the grounds that the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission failed to adhere to mandatory procedures, including publishing a 90-day notice before setting the election date. This decision reinstated an earlier ruling by the Federal High Court, which had restrained RSIEC from conducting the polls due to an outdated voter register.
Speaker Martin Amaewhule hailed the ruling, calling it a victory for democracy and the rule of law. During the Assembly’s plenary session, he criticized Fubara’s administration, alleging that the governor was running an illegitimate government with unlawful appointees. A statement issued by Amaewhule’s media aide, Martins Wachukwu, declared, “We believe Governor Fubara will repent from his legion of sins now that the Supreme Court has spoken.” Meanwhile, the Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, led by Chief Tony Okocha, welcomed the verdict, stating that it resolved the long-standing executive-legislative crisis in the state. APC Publicity Secretary Chibike Ikenga, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt, described the judgment as a necessary step to restore constitutional order. In contrast, a faction of the APC loyal to former Minister of Transport Rotimi Amaechi rejected the ruling. Party chieftain Chief Chukwuemeka Eze condemned the verdict, calling it a “declaration of war against Rivers State” and a setback for democracy. However, he commended Governor Fubara for withstanding what he described as an “onslaught of anti-democratic forces.”
Responding to the ruling, the Rivers State Government stated that it was awaiting legal counsel on its implications, particularly concerning state funds and local government administration. Commissioner for Information Joseph Johnson assured residents that the government would take appropriate steps in the best interest of the state. He clarified that the Supreme Court had not ruled on the legality of the 27 lawmakers’ defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the APC, noting that the matter was still pending before the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt. “We believe that the determination of the main issue of defection of the 27 lawmakers is a matter not before the Supreme Court,” he stated, urging Rivers residents to remain calm. The Pan Niger Delta Forum expressed concern over the court’s decision, particularly the freezing of Rivers State’s allocations. In a statement by its spokesman, Obiuwevbi Ominimini, the group argued that the ruling could harm the welfare of the state’s residents and called for a review of the judgment. Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission issued a statement warning against premature decisions regarding vacancies in the Rivers State House of Assembly. INEC’s Chief Press Secretary, Rotimi Oyekanmi, stated that the issue remained sub judice, with multiple court cases still awaiting final resolution. The commission warned that any attempt to conduct elections to fill the disputed seats before a final court ruling could lead to legal complications and unnecessary financial losses.
The Supreme Court’s ruling has intensified the political crisis in Rivers State, with both pro- and anti-Wike factions interpreting the judgment differently. While the ruling solidifies the position of the 27 lawmakers, uncertainties remain over the fate of the state’s finances and the legal status of their defection. As the political drama unfolds, all eyes remain on the Federal High Court’s pending decision on the legitimacy of the lawmakers’ switch to the APC.
