KEY POINTS

• The Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, has suspended its plenary sessions indefinitely, escalating the political crisis in the state.
• The adjournment comes after Governor Siminalayi Fubara attempted to present the 2025 budget to the Assembly, as ordered by the Supreme Court.
• The crisis reflects the ongoing power struggle between Fubara and former Governor Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, has adjourned its plenary sessions indefinitely, deepening the political crisis in the state.

This decision comes just 24 hours after Governor Siminalayi Fubara sought to present the 2025 budget in compliance with a Supreme Court ruling.

The adjournment was announced during a plenary session held at the assembly quarters in Port Harcourt on Friday, March 14, 2025.

The move has further strained the already tense relationship between the governor and the Assembly, which is largely loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The political feud between Fubara and Wike has been simmering for months, with the Assembly previously attempting to impeach the governor in late 2024.

Governor Fubara had written to the Assembly on March 13, proposing March 19 or any other convenient date in March for the budget presentation.

“You may recall my failed visit to the Rivers State House of Assembly on Wednesday, 12th March 2025, for the presentation of the 2025 Rivers State Budget in compliance with the judgment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria,” Fubara stated in the letter.

This was his second attempt to present the budget after being locked out of the Assembly complex on March 12.

The governor’s entourage was reportedly denied access to the legislative complex by security personnel, who cited a lack of official communication between the governor and the Assembly leadership.

However, Fubara maintained that he had formally informed Speaker Amaewhule of his visit through a letter and had also attempted to reach him via phone since Tuesday.

The crisis stems from a Supreme Court ruling on February 28, 2025, which ordered the governor to present the budget to the Assembly.

According to https://saharareporters.com/, Fubara has since directed the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to outline modalities for fresh local government elections, now scheduled for August 9, 2025.

This move is seen as an attempt to consolidate his authority and reduce Wike’s influence in the state.

Political tensions escalate

The adjournment of the Assembly’s plenary sessions has heightened fears of further instability in the oil-rich Niger Delta region.

Ijaw groups, who see Fubara as their representative, have warned against any move to unseat him, with some even threatening armed resistance.

President Bola Tinubu has also weighed in on the crisis, urging leaders of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) to ensure that Governor Fubara complies with the Supreme Court ruling. “I have total confidence in our judiciary.

Now, the Supreme Court has spoken—that is it. Please go back home and help him (Governor Fubara) to implement those recommendations within the shortest possible time,” Tinubu said during a closed-door meeting with PANDEF leaders at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The president revealed that he had intervened in the crisis both privately and publicly, offering counsel to Fubara on the best way forward.

However, the situation remains volatile, with stakeholders anxiously awaiting further developments.