The Coalition of Opposition Lawmakers has declared that Governor Siminalayi Fubara will continue to steer governance in Rivers State despite Friday’s Supreme Court ruling.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere emphasized that the court’s decision, which ordered the reinstatement of the Martins Amaewhule-led faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly, does not affect Fubara’s authority as governor.

He also reassured that governance at the grassroots level would remain intact, despite the court’s decision to nullify the local government elections.

The Supreme Court’s verdict reinstated an earlier judgment barring the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant General of the Federation from releasing statutory allocations to Rivers State.

The ruling also directed the pro-Wike faction of the state assembly to resume legislative duties immediately.

However, opposition lawmakers expressed their dissatisfaction, arguing that the decision could have negative consequences for the people of Rivers State.

Ugochinyere pointed out that the court did not address the legality of the defection of 27 lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), a case currently before the Appeal Court.

Ugochinyere criticized the Supreme Court for appearing to legitimize the pro-Wike lawmakers, insisting that their defection remains unconstitutional and is still being contested in court.

“It is surprising that the Supreme Court faulted the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal for lifting the initial order that stopped the release of funds to Rivers State on the grounds that Governor Fubara did not re-present the 2024 budget before the sacked faction of the House of Assembly,” Ugochinyere stated.

He maintained that until the Appeal Court delivers its judgment on the legality of the lawmakers’ defection, Fubara remains firmly in charge of governance in Rivers.

“To those who are power-hungry, let it be clear that the 27 defected lawmakers have lost their legitimacy. They should not celebrate yet—it is not yet uhuru!” he declared.

The National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Alhaji Shehu Gabam, has dismissed speculations that the party is being positioned as a vehicle for opposition politicians and discontented members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

In an interview, Gabam affirmed that the SDP remains committed to its founding principles and would not serve as a refuge for politicians seeking power for personal gain.

He emphasized that the party has undergone significant restructuring, modernizing its operations while maintaining its core ideology, logo, and slogan.

“The SDP remains an independent political institution built on transparency, integrity, and fairness. We are not desperate for new members at the expense of the party’s integrity, nor are we considering any merger. Mergers often lead to crises, and we will not allow anyone to hijack the party for their own ambitions,” Gabam stated.

He acknowledged that various political figures have engaged with the party but insisted that joining the SDP does not come with special privileges.

“Our rules are simple: anyone can join from their ward, local government, or state and will have equal rights with any other member. The SDP does not belong to any godfather; it is run collectively by its National Working Committee (NWC),” he added.

Gabam also addressed claims made by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar that the presidency is funding opposition parties to weaken the political landscape.

He denied the allegations outright, challenging anyone with evidence to present it.

“I told Atiku directly that he was wrong. Our party has never received funding from the presidency, any governor, or any private individual. Our financial records are audited and published transparently,” he asserted.

He explained that if the federal government intended to support political institutions, it should be done through the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with clear accountability.

“If funding is done through legitimate means, parties will be held accountable. But if it is done secretly, then it becomes corruption,” he noted.

Regarding speculations that former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai is working with Atiku to create a new political movement, Gabam maintained that the SDP remains an independent force.

He clarified that while he has a long-standing personal relationship with El-Rufai, the former governor has not officially joined the SDP.

“My friendship with El-Rufai dates back over 30 years and is separate from politics. If our political interests align in the future, that would be good. But as of now, we are discussing national issues, not party membership,” he explained.

Gabam insisted that the SDP, not the Labour Party, is the true third force in Nigerian politics.

He pointed out that while many elected officials from the Labour Party have defected, all of SDP’s senators, House of Representatives members, and state assembly representatives remain intact.

“We won elections at various levels, and even in Rivers State, where our local government victory was taken away, we still secured a councillorship position. The SDP is focused on leadership recruitment and institutional building, ensuring that we lay a strong foundation for future generations,” he concluded.

Gabam reaffirmed that the party remains open to genuine individuals who wish to contribute to its growth but warned against those seeking to manipulate it for their personal ambitions.

Governor Siminalayi Fubara has acknowledged the Supreme Court’s ruling affirming Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule and 26 others as valid members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

The decision marks a major development in the ongoing political crisis in the state.

In a statement released by Joe Johnson, the state’s Commissioner for Information, Fubara confirmed his awareness of the judgment and its implications on governance in Rivers State.

“At this time, we are awaiting a detailed briefing on the implications of the judgment. We will carefully evaluate the situation and determine the next steps to take in the best interest of Rivers State and its people,” the statement read.

While recognizing that the ruling effectively reinstates the 27 lawmakers, Fubara maintained that the key issue of their defection—which led to the dispute over their legitimacy—remains unresolved, as it is still pending before the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt.

“Since the issue of defection wasn’t on the table before the learned Justices, in their eyes, Amaewhule and the 26 others are still operating as lawmakers until that matter comes before them,” the statement noted.

Governor Fubara reassured Rivers residents of his commitment to protecting the state’s interests and upholding the rule of law.

He called for calm and urged citizens to remain law-abiding as his administration seeks further clarification on the judgment and its broader impact.

Former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has called on President Bola Tinubu and the Senate to thoroughly investigate the allegations of sexual harassment, intimidation, and mistreatment leveled against Senate President Godswill Akpabio by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central).

In a statement on Friday, Atiku described the allegations as serious and emphasized the need for a fair and transparent investigation.

“The Nigerian Senate represents the voice of the people. Those who serve in it—especially its leadership—must uphold the highest standards of integrity, dignity, and respect for the offices they hold and for the citizens they serve,” he said.

He stressed that the Senate President, as the third most powerful figure in the country, should exemplify unimpeachable character.

He further noted that sexual harassment in the workplace remains a significant obstacle to women’s progress and, by extension, national development.

“At a time when only four women serve in the Senate, it is imperative to foster an environment where female legislators can work without fear of harassment or intimidation,” Atiku stated.

The former Vice President urged President Tinubu and the Senate leadership to conduct an independent and credible investigation, arguing that the outcome of this case would reflect Nigeria’s stance on justice, accountability, and gender inclusion in governance.

“This moment demands careful and principled action to uphold the integrity of our institutions and ensure that every Nigerian, regardless of gender, is treated with dignity and respect,” he added.

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan had earlier alleged that she experienced harassment and intimidation in the Senate after rejecting Senate President Akpabio’s advances.

The claims have sparked widespread reactions, with increasing calls for a formal inquiry into the matter.