A new round of political tension appears to be brewing in Rivers State as Speaker Martin Amaewhule accuses Governor Siminalayi Fubara of reigniting the state’s political crisis. Amaewhule contends that Fubara lied about not being able to meet with Rivers State House of Assembly members, saying he was actually present at a meeting held soon after the State of Emergency ended. In his words, the governor’s claim of an inability to convene the lawmakers is false, and Amaewhule described the governor’s public remarks as insincere and evidence of weak leadership. He alleges the governor is intentionally painting a picture of communication breakdown to justify further political turmoil. He urged Rivers residents to ignore the governor’s statements and stay alert as tensions persist.
In a separate development, Governor Fubara dismissed talk of a rift with federal or state lawmakers from Rivers, insisting such claims are unfounded. Speaking during the launch of the extended and dualized 28.4-kilometer Ahoada–Omoku Road, he said arrangements had already been made for a meeting with the lawmakers. Fubara, who switched allegiance from the PDP to the APC the previous Tuesday, used the event to urge Rivers people to continue backing President Bola Tinubu. He indicated that his plan involved his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, then FCT Minister, along with elder statesman Ferdinand Alabraba and other leaders, to convene a session. He rejected allegations that he refused to meet with the lawmakers or rejected their proposals as untrue.
The tension is part of a broader political confrontation that began when Fubara succeeded Nyesom Wike as Rivers State governor after the 2023 elections. Within less than two years in office, disagreements over control of Rivers’ political structure intensified, contributing to a crisis that also involved Amaewhule’s Rivers State House of Assembly. Following the turmoil, President Tinubu, in a nationwide address on March 18, 2025, declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending the governor, his deputy, and the Assembly for an initial six months, invoking Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution. He subsequently appointed and sworn in retired naval chief Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd) to lead an interim administration for the oil-rich Delta.
A turning point came in June when the President met with Fubara, Wike, Amaewhule, and other lawmakers, signaling a reconciliation among key actors. Fubara and Wike, who later became FCT Minister, were seen attending a ceremony together in the state. On September 17, President Tinubu announced the suspension of the emergency rule, citing a renewed spirit of understanding, robust cooperation, and a willingness among stakeholders in Rivers State to return to democratic governance. This development was framed as a positive milestone for the state and the country overall. Yet the situation remains sensitive, with ongoing debates about leadership, legitimacy, and the best path forward for Rivers State.
What do you think about the latest public exchanges between the governor and the assembly? Do you believe these clashes reflect genuine governance challenges or political maneuvering ahead of broader national interests? Share your thoughts in the comments.
