The Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly has reacted to the invitation extended to it by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The request comes in response to Fubara’s invitation for a meeting with the Assembly at the Government House on Monday, March 10.
The governor, through the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, announced that the 10 a.m. meeting would address several critical matters, including the provision of seating arrangements for the Assembly, payment of outstanding allowances, and the presentation of the 2025 budget.
However, the lawmakers loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike have demanded that the Governor extend his invitation to the lawmakers through official channels rather than social media.
They noted that they may decline the invitation unless their conditions are met.
One of the lawmakers, Isaiah Opuende, who represents Akuku-Toru Constituency 2, criticized Fubara for using social media to invite them.
Speaking with Punch on Sunday, Opuende urged the governor to send a formal communication, expressing his surprise at Fubara’s approach, especially after the governor had previously told them to “stay in their place.”
According to him, “It’s time for us to determine our own course. When the ‘stay in your place’ began, our leader said our time would come. Now, it’s our turn. Let us decide our fate. How can you send an invitation via social media and expect us to accept it? We are not children. The governor should send a formal letter to the Assembly. That’s all.”
Meanwhile, a viral video showed former local government chairmen, who served during Wike’s tenure, mocking Fubara over the invitation.
Dr. Samuel Nwanosike, former chairman of Ikwerre LG, led a group of individuals in a chant mocking the governor, repeatedly singing, “Stay in your place, let me stay in mine, stay in your place, don’t disturb Amaewhule.”
After the Supreme Court’s ruling affirming the legitimacy of the lawmakers, they used their first sitting to demand that Governor Fubara present the 2025 budget and submit nominees for commissioner positions, asserting that the current cabinet lacked legal backing. They also summoned the chairman and commissioners of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to appear before them on Monday.
However, the government did not act on their requests.
Commissioner for Information, Joseph Johnson, stated that the government was awaiting the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the Supreme Court judgment before taking any further steps. The CTC was finally released on Thursday and widely published in national dailies on Friday.
In an effort to engage with the lawmakers, SSG Danagogo sent 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 explained that the meeting was called following the governor’s receipt of the CTC of the Supreme Court judgment.
The discussion would cover the provision of seating arrangements for the Assembly, payment of outstanding allowances, and the presentation of the 2025 budget.
The governor’s invitation comes as the 72-hour ultimatum given to the RSIEC chairman to appear before the House expires today.
During Friday’s plenary, Amaewhule pointed out that the Assembly had noted Fubara’s failure to submit the names of his commissioner nominees for screening.