Embargo on Rivers account illegal joke taken too far – Pro-democracy group

A pro-democracy group, the People’s Congress (PC) has dismissed the resolution of the Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers Assembly purportedly suspending all expenditures of Governor Siminalayi Fubara until he re-presents his budget before the factional House.
It could be recalled that the factional House of Assembly during a plenary on Monday, announced a shutdown of all expenditures until Governor Siminalayi Fubara presents his budget before the House.
But in a statement signed by its President, Dr Nicholas Udenta, made available to TVN on Monday, he said that the actions of the lawmakers were mere political grandstanding, lacking legal basis and legitimacy.
Udenta said according to the law, the lawmakers were no longer members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, having defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Progressives Congress, APC.
He further described the resolution as an “illegal joke,” stressing that Governor Fubara had in December 2023, signed the budget of N800 billion into law after presenting it before lawmakers led by the former speaker, Edison Ehie.
He emphasised that the purported resolution by Amaewhule and his colleagues is a “distractive joke” that should be disregarded.
He also noted that “the only recognised Rivers Assembly, according to law and the people of Rivers State, is the one led by Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo.”
“We are deeply disappointed at the resolution of Martin Amaewhule and his co-travellers, which purportedly suspends all expenditures of Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara until he re-presents his budget before the House.
“First and foremost, Martin Amaewhule and his colleagues have lost their membership of the Rivers Assembly, following their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress on the 11th day of December 2023, as declared by the then speaker, Edison Ehie, on 13th December 2023.
“Therefore, Martin Amaewhule and his colleagues lack the locus standi to make such demands from a democratically elected governor. Their resolution is simply an illegal joke taken too far. We urge the Governor to completely ignore their distracting actions.
“Secondly, the 2024 Rivers State budget was signed into law in December 2023, after being presented and approved by lawmakers led by the former speaker, Edison Ehie. Most of the projects captured in the budget are either completed or nearing completion.
“Nowhere in the world is a budget presented twice, nor is there any state in Nigeria where a budget is presented to two Houses of Assembly. Most importantly, there’s only one House of Assembly in Rivers State, which is led by Rt. Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo.
“That’s the only one recognised by law and the people of Rivers State. The Martin Amaewhule-led faction passing anti-people resolutions doesn’t represent the interests of Rivers people but that of their paymasters.
“Their latest resolution is nothing but a comical display of illegality. They are committing political suicide by continuously seeking to sabotage the developmental efforts of Governor Siminalayi Fubara. Rivers people are watching.
“We urge Governor Fubara to remain focused on his duties and not be swayed by this illegitimate group’s threats. Similarly, we advise the current speaker, Rt. Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo, to ignore their distractions and continue to discharge his responsibilities with integrity.
“It is essential to recognise that the Amaewhule-led group’s actions are mere political grandstanding, lacking legal basis and legitimacy. We assure the good people of Rivers State that the authentic lawmakers are committed to serving their interests and ensuring the state’s progress.
“We warn the former lawmakers to desist from their illegal actions, as they are no longer recognised as members of the Rivers State Assembly. Their attempts to disrupt the state’s governance will not be tolerated,” he stated.
Embargo on Rivers account illegal joke taken too far – Pro-democracy group