Rivers Assembly Issues 7 – Day Ultimatum To Fubara To Present 2024 Appropriation Bill

…Condemns Governor’s Constitutional Breaches

The Rivers State House of Assembly under the Speakership of Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule, at its 1st Legislative Sitting of the Second Session of the Tenth Assembly, on Monday, deliberated on the actions and inactions of Gov. Fubara which they averred are in breach of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as altered, extant laws and judgements of competent Courts of Law.

The House called the attention of Gov. Fubara to the fact that he is yet to present the 2024 Appropriation Bill of the State to the duly constituted Rivers State House of Assembly in line with the provisions of Section 121 of the Constitution and in compliance with the judgement of Justice Omotosho of the Federal High Court.

The House then resolved to give the Governor 7 days from the date of the Resolution to present the Appropriation Bill to the House.

The House also drew the attention of Gov. Fubara to his breach of Section 192(2) of the Constitution wherein he swore-in purported members of the State Executive Council as Commissioners as well as a breach of Section 7 (1) of the Constitution and the Rivers State Local Government (Amendment) Law, 2023, wherein he again swore – in certain unelected individuals to manage the affairs of the 23 Local Government Councils in the State, in flagrant disobedience to the Constitution and judgement of Justice Omotosho of the Federal High Court.

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Commenting, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule decried a situation where the Governor in total disregard to the Constitution and judgements of Courts transacts Legislative business with
three suspended members of the Assembly, who parade themselves as House of Assembly of the State.

Rt.Hon. Amaewhule stated that the purported screening and confirmation of Commissioner – nominees for appointment, Caretaker committees and other approvals by the three impostors have been declared null and void by by the recent Court of Appeal Judgement, adding that the Governor is and his co- travellers are in contempt of the orders of the court.

He therefore called on Gov. Fubara to do the needful without further delay as these constitutional breaches constitute gross misconduct and abuse of office.

Earlier, the Leader of the House, Hon. Major Jack had presented the judgement of the Court Appeal to the House.

Also, today, the Chairman of the House Committee on Education presented the Report on the Rivers State Education (Return of Schools) (Amendment) Bill, 2024 to the House.