The Rivers State House of Assembly, under the leadership of Speaker Martin Amaewhule, has exercised its constitutional powers to override Governor Siminialayi Fubara’s refusal to assent to three significant bills.
However, Jerry Omatsogunwa, the Special Assistant on Electronic Media to Governor Fubara, dismissed the lawmakers’ actions as inconsequential, describing the Assembly as merely a “committee of friends.” He accused the legislators of prioritizing personal interests over the state’s welfare.
“This is not the first time they are overruling something, but I wonder who will enforce those overrulings in the end,” Omatsogunwa remarked.
Drawing comparisons, he said, “During Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, when he rejected the electoral bill twice, the National Assembly didn’t override him. Instead, they went back to address the issues appropriately. Martin Amaewhule and his committee of friends need to realize that Rivers people no longer take them seriously. They cannot keep changing the rules of the game mid-play.”
Omatsogunwa added, “To me, they are like little children shaking a coconut tree, thinking they’re making an impact, but in reality, they’re only shaking their own heads. They are not serving Rivers people; they are working against them.”
The contested bills include the Rivers State Education (Return of Schools) (Amendment) Bill, Rivers Electricity Market Bill, and Rivers State Commissions of Inquiry Bill, 2024. These bills were initially passed by the Assembly last month and sent to Governor Fubara for his signature.
After the governor withheld his assent, the Assembly invoked its authority under Section 100(5) of the 1999 Constitution to override his decision during a plenary session on Thursday. Majority Leader Major Jack reintroduced the bills for consideration, and the lawmakers unanimously voted to enforce them.
Reacting to the development, Speaker Amaewhule accused Governor Fubara of stalling the state’s progress due to “indolence and ineptitude.” He reiterated the Assembly’s commitment to advancing Rivers State’s development and upholding the Constitution.
In a statement by his media aide, Martins Wachukwu, the Speaker criticised the governor for allegedly acting above the Constitution and the state’s laws. He clarified that under Section 100(5) of the Constitution, the bills in question have now become law in Rivers State.
For more updates, join our WhatsApp channel: Chronicles Reporters.