By Didimoko A. DIdimoko
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has offered to meet with the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Martins Amaehule, and other members of the house in what is seen as a peace overture to end the stand-off between the executive and legislative arms of governments in the state.
The governor confirmed that he had received the judgment of the Supreme Court conferring legitimacy on the Rt Hon Martins Amaehule-led Rivers State House of Assembly, and he offered to work with the lawmakers in the interest of the state.
The governor’s volte face was contained in a letter by Dr. Tammy Dangogo, Secretary to the State Government, to Amaehule, dated 7 March, 2025, offered to meet with the lawmakers on Monday, 10 March 2025 at the Governor’s House.
It would be recalled that there had been debates over whether the governor would represent the budget to the legitimate Speaker, following reports that some members of the state executive councils had dragged the Assembly to court.
However, a copy of the letter, which was obtained by Naija Daily News, revealed that the governor was willing to pursue peace with the lawmakers, who are loyalists of his estranged godfather and predecessor, Nyesom Wike.
The letter read in part, “I hereby in futherance of His Excellency’s promise stated in my letter dated 5th March, 2025, to notify you that His Excellency has received the Supreme Court’s judgment, and has therefore directed me to invite you and your colleagues – the Honourable members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to a meeting to discuss:
(i) Provision of a befitting space for the Assembly’s sittings; (ii) Payment of all outstanding remuneration or allowances of the Honourable members; (iii) Presentation of the Budget and sundry matters; (iv) any other matter(s) as may be necessary, to chart the way forward in the best interest of the state.”
