The Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly has, on Sunday, called on Governor Siminalayi Fubara to send his invitations to the members in an appropriate manner, rather than through social media.
The call followed the governor’s invitation to the Assembly for a meeting at the Government House on Monday (today).
Fubara, through the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo, stated that the meeting, scheduled for 10 am, would address key issues, including the provision of adequate seating for the Assembly, payment of outstanding allowances, and the presentation of the 2025 budget.
However, the 27 lawmakers loyal to former governor Nyesom Wike may reject the invitation unless their conditions are met by the governor.
Isaiah Opuende, the lawmaker representing Akuku-Toru Constituency 2, criticised the governor for inviting the Assembly members via social media.
Opuende urged the governor to communicate with them formally, expressing surprise that Fubara would call on them after previously advising them to “stay in their lane.”
He remarked, “It is time for us to determine our own path. When the ‘stay in your lane’ narrative began, our principal said the time for our ‘stay in your lane’ would come. Now, our ‘stay in your lane’ has arrived.
“Stay in your lane, and let us stay in ours. How can you send a letter and post it on social media, expecting us to honour it? We are not children. The governor should properly write to the Assembly. That’s all. Thank you.”
In a similar vein, some former local government chairmen who served during Wike’s tenure were seen in a viral video mocking Fubara over the invitation extended to the Assembly members.
Dr Samuel Nwanosike, a former chairman of Ikwerre Local Government, and others were seen dancing and singing in a mocking manner, urging the governor not to disturb the Speaker, Amaewhule.
They repeatedly sang, “Stay in your lane, let me stay in mine, stay in your lane, nobody worry Amaewhule.”
Following the Supreme Court ruling affirming their legitimacy, the lawmakers, in their first sitting, urged Governor Fubara to present the 2025 budget. They also demanded that he submit nominees for commissioner and other appointments, insisting that those currently in the cabinet lacked legal backing.
Additionally, they summoned the chairman and commissioners of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission to appear before them on Monday.
However, these requests were ignored, with the Commissioner for Information, Joseph Johnson, stating that the government was awaiting the Certified True Copy of the Supreme Court judgment before taking any action.
The CTC was eventually released on Thursday evening and widely published in national dailies on Friday.
In an effort to establish a relationship and engage the lawmakers, the SSG, Danagogo, wrote a letter to Speaker Amaewhule on Sunday, titled, “Meeting between the Governor of Rivers State and the Honourable Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.”
In the letter, Danagogo stated that the meeting had become necessary following the governor’s receipt of the CTC of the Supreme Court ruling.
The letter noted that the discussion would focus on providing a suitable space for the lawmakers’ sittings, presenting the 2025 budget, and other related matters.
The statement read, “I hereby write in furtherance of His Excellency’s promise stated in my letter dated 5th March 2025 to notify you that His Excellency has received the Supreme Court 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:
“Provision of a befitting space for the Assembly’s sittings, payment of all outstanding remuneration or allowances for the Honourable members;
“Presentation of the budget and sundry matters. Any other matter(s), as may be necessary, to chart the way forward in the best interest of the state.
“Sequel to the above, I hereby humbly invite the Rt. Hon. Speaker and all the members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to a meeting with the Governor as follows.”
The governor’s invitation to the lawmakers comes as the 72-hour ultimatum given to the RSIEC chairman to appear before the House expires today.
During plenary on Friday, Amaewhule had said the Assembly had taken legislative notice of Fubara’s failure to forward names of his commissioner nominees for screening.
Attempts to reach the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Joseph Johnson, were unsuccessful as his mobile phone was not connecting at the time of filing this report.
The development has been hailed by the Chief Tony Okocha-led All Progressives Congress and the Emeka Beke-led faction loyal to former Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi.
The Okocha faction, aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, welcomed Fubara’s invitation to the lawmakers as a positive step forward.
