The Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has slammed Governor Siminalayi Fubara for withholding lawmakers’ entitlements.
“The end to this rascality is very near,” Martin Amaewhule said in reaction to the Supreme Court ruling on Monday to discontinue a case instituted by the Governor against the 27 lawmakers.
The House declared the seats of three members vacant over absenteeism.
Amaewhule stated this during a news briefing in Port Harcourt, the state capital, on Monday.
“Today’s judgement confirms that Governor Fubara has been in gross violation of the 1999 Constitution as amended,” Amaewhule added.
He also warned Fubara against disobeying Monday’s Supreme Court judgment which he said validated the 27 of them as members of the state House of Assembly.
He stated, “The Supreme Court has spoken, and the people of Rivers State are elated with this judgment.”
Amaewhule thanked Rivers State leaders who supported the Assembly throughout the period, singling out Wike for his support.
The Speaker condemned the Governor’s refusal to provide the Assembly with its statutory entitlements for nearly a year, adding that the Governor thought they would be starved, saying that the judgment has strengthened their resolve and hope in the Judiciary.
He stated that Fubara is reputed for consistently disregarding court orders but warned that all eyes are now on him to see whether he will disobey the Supreme Court’s verdict.
While addressing the issue of vacant seats in the assembly, Amaewhule maintained that one former Member had passed away, another had absconded from duty, and three other seats had been declared vacant due to absenteeism.
He, therefore, called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct elections to fill these positions.
Speaking further, Amaewhule reminded Fubara of the injunctive orders issued by Justice Omotosho, which barred him from withholding funds meant for the Assembly.
“The end to this rascality is very near,” he said, emphasising that the House remains committed to upholding the mandate given to them by the electorate.
Amaewhule stressed that Fubara has been spending taxpayers’ money for a year without appropriation, in clear defiance of the Federal High Court and Court of Appeal judgments.
