11th February 2025, News, Law And Society, Politics, News

Following Supreme Court’s Dismissal of Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s appeal challenging Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly on Monday, February 10 2025, supporters of the governor are concerned over his next move in the intricate political battle between him and the former State Governor, Nyesom Wike.

A five-man panel of the Supreme Court, led by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji, hinged their dismissal of the appeal filed by Governor Fubara on the withdrawal of the suit by his counsel, Yusuf Ali.

Justice Uwani Abba-Aji while dismissing the appeal awarded a cost of two million naira against the governor. The award is to be paid to the Rivers State House of Assembly as the first respondent and to Martin Amaewhule as the second respondent.

Recall that Rivers State House of Assembly has been embroiled in a protracted leadership crisis since 2023 when over 25 lawmakers loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Reacting to the development, Governor Fubara loyalists contested the leadership of the House by Amaewhule. This rival group of Rivers lawmakers, led by Victor Oko-Jumbo, elected Oko-Jumbo as the Speaker of the House.

Since then, Governor Fubara has been transacting State businesses with the Oko-Jumbo group even as he ignored the Amaewhule faction.

The intrigues deepened last October, when the Court of Appeal in Abuja affirmed the judgment of the Federal High Court which set aside the N800 billion 2024 budget passed by Amaewhule’s rival group.

The appellate court had dismissed the appeal filed by Fubara on grounds that it lacked merit. The court had nullified the 2024 Rivers budget passed by pro-Fubara lawmakers and set aside the presentation and passage of the Rivers State 2024 budget.

With the Supreme Court’s ruling, it remains to be seen how Governor Fubara will swim the impending stormy sea.

~ NewsOrient

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