The Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, has given Governor Siminalayi Fubara a 48-hour ultimatum to submit a fresh list of commissioner nominees. The lawmakers say the governor has repeatedly appointed officials to positions that require legislative screening without following due process.
Assembly Accuses Governor of Breaking the Law
In a letter signed by Speaker Amaewhule and sent to Governor Fubara on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, the lawmakers accused the governor of violating the 1999 Constitution by appointing Dagogo Iboroma as Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice without their approval. They also claimed that several commissioners and members of statutory bodies had been sworn in without the Assembly’s required confirmation.
The letter stated, “These appointments are a clear violation of the 1999 Constitution as amended and other existing laws. Such actions undermine the law and pose a serious threat to our democracy.”
The lawmakers also highlighted irregularities in the formation of the Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement and the Rivers State Local Government Service Commission. They claimed that appointments to these bodies were made without the Assembly’s oversight, violating the Rivers State Public Procurement Law No. 4 of 2008 and the Rivers State Local Government Law No. 5 of 2018.
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Legislators Demand Immediate Action
The Assembly insisted that Fubara must submit a list of nominees for all positions that require screening within 48 hours.
The lawmakers wrote, “The House requests you to submit a list of nominees for appointment as commissioners into the Rivers State Executive Council, as well as for other positions requiring legislative confirmation. We urge you to act fast and do the needful in the best interest of the good people of Rivers State.”
The crisis between the governor and the Assembly escalated further as this ultimatum came just after the lawmakers had earlier given Fubara 48 hours to resubmit the 2025 appropriation bill.
State Government Responds
The Rivers State Government has denied receiving any official communication regarding the ultimatum.
In a letter dated March 5, 2025, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, the Secretary to the State Government, stated that they only learned about the Assembly’s directive through social media.
“So far, we have not received any official letter or notification from the Assembly regarding this ultimatum,” Danagogo said.
This latest development is part of an ongoing power struggle between Governor Fubara and the Amaewhule-led Assembly. Political analysts believe the situation could lead to a deeper constitutional crisis if both sides refuse to back down.