Photo: Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule
By Deborah Nnamdi
The Rivers State House of Assembly on Thursday reconvened plenary following the expiration of the six-month Emergency Rule declared in the state by President Bola Tinubu on March 18, 2025.
The sitting marked the Assembly’s first session since March 12, a week before the emergency proclamation. At Thursday’s plenary, lawmakers unanimously adopted a motion demanding an account of funds spent during the emergency period, as well as a new budget and list of commissioner nominees from Governor Siminialayi Fubara.
The motion, sponsored by nine members led by House Leader Hon. Major Jack and Deputy Leader Hon. Linda Somiari-Stewart, was endorsed by all 26 members present.
Reading the motion, Jack noted that the emergency rule lapsed at midnight on Thursday, thereby restoring full democratic governance in the state. He highlighted the successful conduct of the August 30 local government elections as a key outcome of the period but stressed that the legislature was sidelined from budgetary processes under the emergency.
“Several contracts were awarded and funds drawn from the Consolidated Revenue Account by the outgone Administrator. It is therefore necessary to establish a clear picture of what transpired,” Jack said. He urged Governor Fubara to immediately submit an appropriation bill for the rest of the year and forward the names of commissioner nominees to enable the constitution of a State Executive Council.
Speaker Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, after putting the motion to a voice vote, affirmed that the Assembly would formally write the governor requesting both the fresh budget proposal and the commissioner list.
Jack also commended President Tinubu for restoring democratic governance in the state, assuring that the Assembly would respect the peace accord and uphold the Constitution “in the interest of peace and good governance.”
