Paragraph 1: Budgetary Standoff Intensifies in Rivers State
A deepening political rift between Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the state House of Assembly unfolded as the governor’s attempt to re-present the 2025 Appropriation Bill met with resistance. Following a Supreme Court judgment and a request from lawmakers, Governor Fubara formally notified the House of his intention to re-present the budget on March 19th or any other suitable date in March. However, the House of Assembly responded by adjourning indefinitely, effectively stalling the budget process and escalating tensions between the executive and legislative branches.
Paragraph 2: Legislative Maneuvers and Political Undercurrents
The House of Assembly’s abrupt adjournment came after passing three bills, adding another layer of complexity to the political landscape. While the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, framed the adjournment as a procedural matter related to the domestication of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act of 2017, the timing and context suggest a strategic move in the ongoing power struggle with the governor. The move could be interpreted as a way to exert leverage over the governor or signal disapproval of his handling of the budget presentation.
Paragraph 3: Rising Tensions in Abalama Community
Meanwhile, the political rivalry between Governor Fubara and the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, spilled over into Abalama community, threatening to ignite a clash between their supporters. Both camps scheduled events for the same venue on the same day, creating a volatile situation with the potential for violence. The Ijaw Youth Council planned a congress, while Wike’s supporters organized a reception for the minister. The overlapping events, coupled with Wike’s alleged controversial comments about the Ijaw people being a minority in the Niger Delta, further fueled the tension.
Paragraph 4: Traditional Rulers Intervene to Avert Violence
Concerned about the potential for bloodshed, traditional rulers from the Kalabari Ethnic Nationality issued a plea for calm and urged Governor Fubara and security agencies to intervene. The monarchs warned that the coinciding events could escalate into violence and disrupt public order. They called for the cancellation of both events or, alternatively, for the organizers to choose different venues to avoid a confrontation. This intervention underscored the gravity of the situation and the potential for political tensions to destabilize the community.
Paragraph 5: Electoral Preparations and Ethnic Tensions
Amidst the political turmoil, preparations for the upcoming local government elections on August 9, 2025, progressed with the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) receiving an updated voter register and a list of registered political parties from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). This development followed the nullification of the previous local government elections due to irregularities, including the lack of an updated voter register. Concurrently, the Ijaw National Congress (INC) criticized Wike’s alleged remarks about the Ijaw people, accusing him of ignorance and insensitivity. The INC called on President Tinubu to caution the minister, highlighting the potential for such statements to exacerbate ethnic tensions.
Paragraph 6: Political Alignments and Accusations
As the political drama unfolded, an elder statesman and former spokesman for the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Anabs Sara-Igbe, voiced support for Governor Fubara and accused Wike of insulting PANDEF and regional leaders. Sara-Igbe’s statement indicated a solidifying of political allegiances within the state. He also criticized pro-Wike lawmakers for allegedly reneging on an agreement reached with President Tinubu, adding another layer of complexity to the political maneuvering and power struggles within Rivers State. This confluence of events – the budget impasse, the threatened clash in Abalama, the electoral preparations, and the ethnic tensions – paints a picture of a state grappling with significant political challenges.
