Rivers Crisis: JUMBO, AND OTHER PRO-FUBARA LAWMAKERS HEAD TO SUPREME COURT

By Tobouke JEMINE

Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo and his colleagues in the Rivers State House of Assembly, who are loyal to Governor Sir Siminialayi Fubara, have appealed the Court of Appeal’s decision that overturned a State High Court ruling granting them authority to serve as Speaker and legislators. They have taken their case to the Supreme Court, challenging the Appeal Court’s judgment, which stated that Justice Charles Wali of the State High Court lacked jurisdiction over the legislative matter.

The Court of Appeal had declared the High Court’s order barring Amaewhule and others from presenting themselves as speaker and lawmakers null and void. In a plenary session held at a temporary legislative facility in Port Harcourt, Jumbo clarified that they believe the Appeal Court erred in its decision regarding the jurisdiction of the State High Court.

Jumbo asserted his position as the legitimate speaker, emphasizing that there cannot be two Houses of Assembly in the state. He reiterated that the seats of Hon. Martin Amaewhule and 24 other former lawmakers remained vacant, following their defection from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in December 2023.

He said, “There cannot be two Houses of Assembly in Rivers State or indeed any State in Nigeria. This House of Assembly, with me as the Speaker, is the ONLY House of Assembly in Rivers State.

“As the whole world knows, on the 11th day of December, 2023, Martin Amaewhule and his 24 friends defected from the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Progressive Congress, APC.

“On the 13th Day of December, 2023, Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie, as the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, declared the seats of Martin Amaewhule and 24 others in the RSHA vacant. That declaration by Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie has not been set aside by any court in Nigeria.”

He stated further, “Yesterday, the 4th of July, 2024, the Court of Appeal, in its lead Judgement, allowed the Appeal by Martin Ameawhule & 24 ORS on the ground that the Rivers State High Court lacked the jurisdiction to hear and determine the case.

“Accordingly, the Court of Appeal struck out Suit No. PHC/1512/CS/2024 and NOTHING MORE. The Court of Appeal did not make any declaration that Martin Amaewhule & 24 ORS did not defect from the PDP to APC.

“The Court of Appeal also did not make any declaration that Martin Amaewhule and 24 ORS are still members of the RSHA. We strongly believe that the Court of Appeal was in error when it held that the Rivers State High Court lacked the jurisdiction to hear and determine SUIT NO PHC/1512/CS/2024.

“Accordingly, we have instructed our lawyers and they have filed an appeal to the Supreme Court of Nigeria challenging the judgement of the Court of Appeal delivered on the 4th Day of July, 2024. Martin Amaewhule & 24 ORS, in spite of all their pretences, are no longer members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, and they remain so until a court of competent jurisdiction says otherwise.

“Once again, we the legitimate members of the RSHA HEREBY call on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to promptly conduct a bye-election to fill the vacant seats in the RSHA.”

By Admin.

Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State empathized with the newly sworn-in commissioners, acknowledging the weight on their hearts. Despite their earlier resignations amid political turmoil, Fubara assured them that he harbors no grievances against them. Addressing the commissioners at the Executive Chambers of Government House in Port Harcourt, the governor encouraged them to engage in activities that would be remembered positively in the future.

Having returned to serve in Fubara’s administration after a brief hiatus, the nine commissioners were urged to uphold and defend the constitution. Governor Fubara emphasized the importance of standing for justice and the interests of the state. Expressing understanding for the challenges they faced during the political crossfire, Fubara advised them to give their best, aiming to leave a legacy of goodness for the state and posterity.

The governor’s words sought to reassure and inspire the commissioners, emphasizing the need to contribute positively to the administration and be remembered for their commitment to justice and the welfare of the state.

OPEN THREATS FROM SOME LOCAL GOVERNMENT CHAIRMEN IN RIVERS STATE: SIGNALS AN ERA OF FREEDOM OF SPEECH FREELY GIVEN BY GOVERNOR SIM, THAT THEY ONCE LACKED.

By Ezebunwo Ichemati.

Governor Fubara’s self-discipline is legendary and should be studied, for being able to maintain a high level of uncommon restraint, despite being goaded by the words and actions of people who, hitherto had no balls and guts to cast aspersions on the office of the Governor of Rivers State, as was experienced in the last 8years in our State.

• A couple of days ago, a serving Local Government chairman in an event in Aluu Community, verbally likened Governor Sim as a Mumu that was given power, he went further to openly issue threats on the Governor.

• Sometime ago, the media space was once littered with the leaked conversation between a Local Government Chairman and his friend, wherein the former was heard challenging the Rivers State Governor to get ready for him.( A local Government ooooo)•A fortnight ago in Aluu, loyalists of a Local Government Chairman escorted by hoodlums brandishing weapons, invaded the home of a known supporter of Governor Sim, where a Christmas party in the name of the Governor was billed to hold; they destroyed properties and brazenly beat up his wife, all in the name of dirty politics.

• In Buguma City; few days ago, a serving Local Government Chairman, also invaded but failed to disrupt the Christmas party held in honour of the Governor, but later resorted to placing a ban on public gathering, which is targeted at forestalling similar gathering in the name of the Governor billed for other wards.

• In Andoni, a serving Local Government Chairman, placed a ban on the planned solidarity rally for the Governor of same party with him, but was defied by the people.

• Across the Local Government Areas, people who have openly identified with the Governor have had their salaries stopped by some Chairmen.

What some of these chairmen who practically lived in perpetual fear could not even muster the courage to think of doing in the last 8years, have suddenly assembled the guts today.

In this State in the past, The Allocation of Akuku-Toru local Government area was seized for about 4 months because the Chairman there once decided to express himself and stand by his convictions.
A former Chairman of Phalga was unceremoniously suspended from office too. All these things happened when Chairmen dare not have an opinion unlike what is attainable now.

What this means is that, there is freedom; freedom for even the Chairmen to come out of their shelves to express themselves to the fullest, discharge the duties, authority and the power of their office, without intimidation, harassment, threats and the fear of suspension as they’ve been accustomed to in the past.

Today, in the SIMple ORDER OF GREATER THINGS, Chairmen who dare not have an opinion in the past, are today even issuing threats to the State’s Sit of power, because Governor Sim has given them freedom of expression, which is the inalienable right of every citizen, rights that was, heretofore erroneously & deliberately taken away from them.

While those who have openly identified with Governor Sim, are being relieved of their jobs & entitlements in various Local Government Areas, He Governor Sim is yet to sack those who have identified with Chief Wike in the various boards, on whose instance they are there. This is so because the man is not after any structure.

Make no mistake about it; Governor Sim has the Executive powers to match these internal threats word for word and action for action, but the man has stated that, he’ll not delve into the murky waters of dirty political fights, because he is truly not fighting anybody.

Governor Sim will not use the powers of his office to command loyalty or respect from any chairman because, there is a huge difference between “LOYALTY THAT FLOWS WITH NATURAL RESPECT and the LOYALTY THAT IS ENFORCED WITH FEAR/INTIMIDATION/SUSPENSION”

Even the Chairmen in their sincere, quiet and solemn state, will testify that they can practically feel a sense of freedom.

Indeed, Governor Sim is fighting no one, as there is nobody to fight for now so there won’t be need for the invocation of Executive Orders against anybody. His only assignment is to “PROTECT THE RED BIRO” & DELIVER GOVERNANCE TO RIVERS PEOPLE.

He’ll continue to approach issues unconventionally for the interest of the State. He’ll not engage in a war of gutter words with anybody as he is being preempted to.

I just want to commend Governor Sim for carrying himself with so much dignity and respect befitting of the office he occupies.

Finally, thank you once again Sir; for remembering Civil servants. I know that your heart was full of empathy when you declared their Christmas Bonus, for the years that they suffered silently;
you brought them hope and helped them cope during the festive period. Such legacy is a shining hope that the SIMple ORDER OF GREATER THINGS cares.

GOVERNOR SIM is channelling his fight against Poverty amongst the abandoned civil servants, youths and downtrodden, while those who are fighting themselves and preparing for war, can go ahead.

Moreover, elections are very far away, as now is the time for governance. So those who think they have the monopoly of violence should wait till 2027, when we can all test the microphone as Rivers People.

E. P. I. C
SON OF REBISI KINGDOM.

Source: Ijaw Matters TV Worldwide