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Rivers Assembly Resumes After Six-Month Emergency Rule, Tasks Fubara on Commissioners and Budget
The Rivers State House of Assembly on Thursday reconvened for plenary, marking its first session since the expiration of the six-month state of emergency imposed by President Bola Tinubu.
The sitting, presided over by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, held at the legislative quarters in Port Harcourt, comes just a day after Tinubu lifted emergency rule at midnight on September 17.
The emergency had been declared on March 18, 2025, following a constitutional impasse between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Assembly that crippled governance.
Before resumption, the outgone state administrator, Ibok-Ete Ibas, officially handed over to Governor Fubara and, in his farewell address, urged Rivers people to support the reinstated governor.
At Thursday’s plenary, the House passed two key resolutions: calling on Governor Fubara to immediately forward a list of Commissioner-nominees for screening and confirmation, and urging him to initiate the process of drafting an Appropriation Law for the remainder of the year.
Speaker Amaewhule stressed that these steps are vital for stabilising governance and ensuring effective service delivery. Lawmakers say the resolutions are aimed at normalising the state’s administration and addressing urgent citizen needs after months of political turbulence.
Meanwhile, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar criticised the suspension and reinstatement of Governor Fubara and the Assembly, describing Tinubu’s actions as “unconstitutional, illegal, and a clear sign of dictatorship.”
Governor Fubara is yet to respond publicly to the House’s resolutions.
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