The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has stated that he cannot prevent the Rivers State House of Assembly from fulfilling its constitutional responsibilities.
This statement comes as he continues to support the Assembly in its ongoing conflict with Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Governor Fubara and the House, led by Martin-Amaewhule, are engaged in a dispute regarding the presentation of the state’s 2025 budget.
The situation escalated following a Supreme Court ruling, which affirmed the lawmakers’ legitimacy as members of the Rivers State Assembly.
Due to this conflict, the House has requested that Fubara re-present the state’s 2025 budget, which he had initially submitted to a faction of lawmakers led by Victor Oko-Jumbo.
In light of the tensions between the legislature and the governor, who accused the lawmakers of obstructing his attempts to re-present the budget, Wike has expressed his support for the Rivers State House of Assembly.
“Let me tell you, I’m not going to stop the Assembly from performing their constitutional duties. The Assembly should be allowed to perform their constitutional role,” Wike stated during a Thanksgiving Service in Abalama, Asari-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.
“The Assembly members should do their work. Whatever they deem necessary and fit, that is constitutional, they should do. I’m not going to stop anybody from carrying out their functions. I will not do that,” he reiterated.
Wike also accused Fubara of withholding allowances and other benefits owed to members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Furthermore, the former governor claimed that Fubara was misled into recognizing a particular group of lawmakers and was falsely assured that no consequences would arise from his actions.
Rivers crisis: I won’t stop Assembly from carrying out its duties – Wike
