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Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt
The political crisis in Rivers State may be thawing gradually as Governor Siminalayi Fubara, has invited the embattled 27 members of the State House of Assembly for discussion, by way of putting the interest of the state first.
In a letter by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr.Tammy Danagogo, addressed to the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, he stated that the governor’s action was in obedience to the recent Supreme Court judgment on the political crisis in the state.
The Supreme Court, had last Monday, stopped the Central Bank of Nigeria and the accountant general of the federation from releasing any funds from the federation account to Rivers state until an appropriation law was made by the Rivers State assembly.
The apex court also ordered that Martins Amaewhule and 26 other lawmakers should resume unhindered sittings immediately.
Justice Emmanuel Agim, who delivered the lead judgment held that Fubara, had no justification for distorting the affairs of the assembly.
The Supreme Court, also voided the Rivers State local government elections held on October 5, 2024, upholding the judgment of the federal high court in Abuja, which barred the Independent National Electoral Commission from releasing the voters’ register to the Rivers state’s electoral for the conduct of local government polls.
Justice Jamilu Tukur, while delivering judgment, last week, agreed with the All Progressives Congress (APC) that relevant laws and conditions governing the conduct of the election were not complied with.
Following the judgements, the assembly issued a 48-hours ultimatum to the governor to represent the 2025 appropriation bill.