The Speaker of the suspended Rivers House of Assembly, Mr. Martins Amaewhule, has commended President Bola Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State.
Amaewhule expressed his support for the President’s move, stating that it was in the best interest of the state. The
Speaker’s remarks came in a letter addressed to the constituencies, where he urged residents to cooperate with the
newly appointed Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd).
Amaewhule assured the people of Rivers that the state Assembly would abide by the declaration, despite it not being
their preferred outcome. The crisis in Rivers State has been brewing for months, with intense political battles between
Governor Siminalayi Fubara and factions within the state legislature.
The power struggle reached a boiling point with impeachment threats against Fubara, defiant court rulings, and open
rebellion from lawmakers allegedly backed by powerful political interests.
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Amaewhule attributed the state’s current condition to the malfeasance of Governor Fubara, who allegedly disobeyed court judgments and failed to govern the state in line with the Constitution. The Speaker claimed that the Assembly had tried to work with Fubara, but their efforts were met with resistance.
President Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency has effectively stripped Governor Fubara of his powers, placing the state under federal control. The move has raised legal and constitutional concerns, with analysts debating whether Tinubu’s action is a necessary intervention or an overreach of executive power.
Amaewhule’s support for the President’s decision may come as a surprise to some, given the political tensions in the state. However, the Speaker’s remarks suggest that he believes the intervention is necessary to restore order and stability in Rivers.
