The Court of Appeal in Abuja has affirmed Martin Amaewhule as the legitimate Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, dealing a blow to Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s political maneuvers. In a ruling delivered on Thursday, the court also nullified the N800 billion 2024 budget that was controversially passed by a faction of the Assembly and signed by Governor Fubara.
The legal battle over the leadership of the Rivers Assembly has been a source of political tension in the state for months. The Court of Appeal’s decision follows a previous judgment from the Federal High Court, which had also upheld Martin Amaewhule’s position as Speaker. The appellate court, led by a three-member panel, ruled that the appeal filed by Governor Fubara lacked merit and reaffirmed the earlier ruling delivered by Justice James Omotosho on January 22, 2024.
The court specifically nullified the N800 billion budget passed by a faction of the Assembly led by Edison Ehie, who was aligned with Governor Fubara. This budget was signed into law after Governor Fubara presented the budget proposal to only five members of the 31-member House of Assembly, a move the court ruled was a violation of the 1999 Constitution.
“The decision to present the 2024 Rivers State Appropriation Bill to only four out of 31 members of the Assembly is a gross violation of the Constitution,” the court ruled, adding that Governor Fubara must adhere to the rule of law in his actions.
The political crisis in Rivers State escalated in December 2023 when, amidst ongoing tension, Governor Fubara presented the 2024 budget proposal to Edison Ehie and a small group of pro-Fubara lawmakers at the Government House in Port Harcourt. This was done after the Rivers State Assembly Complex had been demolished by the state government, and a court order restrained Amaewhule from using the Assembly premises.
Edison Ehie and his allies quickly passed the budget, and Governor Fubara signed it into law, arguing that the budget would promote economic development and address socio-economic inequality in Rivers State. However, the validity of the budget was questioned by Amaewhule and other lawmakers loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike, who demanded that the budget be presented properly before the full Assembly.
Also Read:
- Amaewhule-Led Rivers State Assembly Gives Governor Fubara 7 Days Ultimatum to Re-Present 2024 Budget
- With 7-day Ultimatum Expired, Amaewhule-Led Assembly Blocks Fubara’s 2024 Budget Expenditures
In response, Amaewhule and 25 lawmakers filed a suit against Governor Fubara, seeking an injunction to stop the governor from undermining the Assembly under Amaewhule’s leadership. This legal challenge eventually led to the court rulings in Amaewhule’s favor, both at the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal.
In a significant turn of events, Edison Ehie later resigned from the Assembly, and Martin Amaewhule was restored as Speaker after meetings between both factions and President Bola Tinubu in Abuja. This development further solidified Amaewhule’s position as the legitimate leader of the Rivers Assembly.