Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has doubled down on his refusal to recognize the faction of the state House of Assembly led by Martin Amaewhule, despite mounting pressure from the Rivers National Assembly Caucus.
The caucus, during a solidarity visit to Amaewhule in Port Harcourt on Monday, urged Fubara to implement the Court of Appeal judgment that affirmed Amaewhule and 26 lawmakers as the only legitimate members of the state legislature.
In a joint statement signed by Kingsley Chinda (Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency), Senator Barinada Mpigi (Rivers South-East), and Dumnamene Dekor (Khana/Gokana Federal Constituency), the lawmakers accused Fubara of deliberately misrepresenting judicial rulings.
“We wish to caution Mr. Femi Falana (SAN) to stop misinterpreting court judgments. It is regrettable that a very senior lawyer of his status is amplifying falsehood,” the lawmakers said, alleging that Falana misrepresented the defection of 27 lawmakers.
They warned that failing to implement the court’s judgment would amount to contempt.
However, Rivers State Commissioner for Information, Joseph Johnson, dismissed the caucus’ claims, insisting that Amaewhule and his faction ceased to be lawmakers after defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in December 2023.
“The judgment of Justice Omotosho, which was affirmed by the Court of Appeal, does not alter the fact that Martin Amaewhule and his group lost their seats after their voluntary defection,” Johnson stated.
He reiterated that Fubara remains committed to upholding the law and would not recognize individuals who no longer hold legislative office.
