The recent ultimatum issued by the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, demanding Governor Siminalayi Fubara to dismiss all commissioners within 48 hours, underscores a deepening constitutional crisis in the state. This directive also calls for the removal of appointees who were not properly screened by the Assembly, highlighting alleged breaches of the 1999 Constitution regarding appointments without legislative confirmation.
This confrontation is not an isolated incident but a culmination of escalating tensions over the past year. In December 2023, a significant political rift emerged when nine commissioners resigned from Governor Fubara’s cabinet, citing personal reasons amidst speculations of allegiance shifts towards former Governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. Notably, Emeka Woke, the Commissioner for Special Projects and former Chief of Staff to Wike, and Austen Ben-Chioma, the Commissioner for Environment, were among those who resigned.
The crisis prompted President Bola Tinubu to intervene in December 2023, mandating the reinstatement of the pro-Wike commissioners and recognizing the defected 27 lawmakers who had shifted allegiance from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The President’s directives aimed to stabilize the political landscape by ensuring all impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara were halted and that the state’s budgetary processes were realigned with constitutional protocols.
Despite these interventions, the Assembly’s recent demands suggest a persistent power struggle, raising concerns about the adherence to constitutional provisions and the potential for governance paralysis. The insistence on dismissing commissioners and other appointees without proper legislative screening points to systemic issues in the appointment processes within the state’s executive branch.
For Rivers State to navigate this impasse, it is imperative for both the executive and legislative arms to recommit to the principles of constitutional governance. Governor Fubara must ensure that all appointments undergo the requisite legislative scrutiny to uphold the rule of law and maintain checks and balances. Simultaneously, the House of Assembly should exercise its oversight functions without resorting to actions that could destabilize the state’s administration.
The people of Rivers State deserve a government that functions cohesively, respects constitutional mandates, and prioritizes their welfare over political discord. It is incumbent upon the state’s leadership to transcend personal and partisan interests, fostering a collaborative environment that ensures effective governance and the sustainable development of Rivers State.
