Political tension may be returning to Rivers State following fresh accusations by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, whom he accused of being dishonest about his relationship with lawmakers.
On Wednesday, Governor Fubara denied claims that his administration was at loggerheads with members of the House of Assembly.
He stated that he had not met with the lawmakers since the peace agreement because he was waiting for the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to convene such a meeting as stipulated in the deal.
However, addressing journalists on Thursday evening in Port Harcourt alongside other legislators, Mr Amaewhule disputed the governor’s account, insisting that meetings had already taken place.
According to the Speaker, following President Bola Tinubu’s directive after the period of emergency rule in the state, Mr Wike arranged meetings between the governor and the lawmakers.
“We met with the governor twice, first at the residence of the FCT minister and later at the home of Ferdinand Alabraba,” Mr Amaewhule said.
“It is therefore untrue for the governor to say he has not met with us.”
He alleged that despite these engagements, Governor Fubara failed to honour the agreements reached during the meetings, warning that the governor’s statements and actions could spark another round of political instability in the state.
The Speaker further accused the governor of reckless spending and awarding contracts without legislative approval, claiming that over ₦600 billion was left in the state’s treasury by the former Sole Administrator, Ibok-Ete Ibas, when the emergency rule ended.
Mr Amaewhule also alleged that Governor Fubara was attempting to influence lawmakers financially.
“The members of the Rivers State House of Assembly are not for sale,” he declared.
He criticised the governor for allegedly making disparaging remarks about Mr Wike and urged him to act more responsibly as a leader instead of allowing media aides to attack lawmakers publicly.
Despite the accusations, Mr Amaewhule said the assembly remained committed to the peace process initiated by President Tinubu and to protecting the interests of Rivers residents.
This marks the second time in nine days that the Speaker has openly criticised Governor Fubara. Recently, Mr Amaewhule accused the governor of neglecting public primary and secondary schools, describing the state of education infrastructure as deplorable.
The governor later responded by reaffirming his administration’s commitment to education despite existing challenges.
Rivers State has been embroiled in political turmoil stemming from a power struggle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, over control of the state’s political machinery.
The conflict split the House of Assembly, with 27 lawmakers aligned with Mr Wike and a minority faction loyal to Governor Fubara.
The crisis led President Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in March, suspending the governor, his deputy, and all elected officials for six months.
A peace agreement brokered by the president in June resulted in the lifting of the emergency rule, and elected officials resumed their duties in September 2025.
Nevertheless, tensions appear unresolved, as the House recently adjourned plenary until January 26, 2026, effectively preventing the governor from presenting the 2026 budget before the end of the year.
