Rivers Crisis: ACJHR dismisses lawmakers’ ultimatum as mere noise

The African Centre for Justice and Human Rights (ACJHR) has dismissed as mere noise the 48-hour ultimatum issued by the Martin Amaewhule-led faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, demanding the presentation of the 2025 appropriation bill. In a statement, the ACJHR described the actions of the sacked lawmakers, who are loyal to former Governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, as anti-people. The group accused them of working against the interests of Rivers residents and attempting to hinder the state’s progress.

“Despite being removed from the Assembly following their unlawful defection and a court ruling, the Martin Amaewhule-led faction continues in their servitude to Wike, stifling the development of Rivers State,” the statement read. The Centre warned the lawmakers not to mistake Governor Fubara’s peaceful and lawful approach for weakness, emphasizing that their status as legislators remains a subject of legal contention. “We reviewed with utter dismay the news that the Martin Amaewhule-led faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Governor Siminalayi Fubara to present the 2025 appropriation bill. “The sacked lawmakers, who remain in perpetual servitude to Wike, are acting against the people of Rivers State. Their actions threaten the peace, stability, and progress of the state, further exposing them as enemies of the people,” the statement added.

ACJHR argued that the lawmakers might have misinterpreted the Supreme Court judgment, which Governor Fubara has graciously accepted to implement after reviewing its Certified True Copy (CTC). “In the meantime, the governor has directed the Heads of Local Government Administration to immediately take over the administration of the 23 local government councils pending fresh elections by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission. “He further instructed the outgoing local government chairmen to formally hand over the levers of power to the Heads of Local Government Administration by Monday, March 3, 2025. “But this does not give Martin Amaewhule and his allies the right to gather somewhere under the pretense of a legislative sitting and issue baseless ultimatums to the governor. Nigeria is not a banana republic where such rascality will be condoned,” ACJHR declared.

Source: https://guardian.ng/news/rivers-crisis-acjhr-dismisses-lawmakers-ultimatum-as-mere-noise-2/

Date: 5MAR25