₦airaland Forum

Rivers Governor Can Carry Out State Business With 3 Lawmakers Just As Ex-Gov Wike Did With 6 Lawmakers, Court Rules

The judgment, delivered by Justice Sika Aprioku, dismissed a lawsuit seeking to compel Governor Fubara to re-present the proposed N800 billion 2024 state budget to 27 aggrieved lawmakers.

A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has ruled that Governor Siminialayi Fubara is legally entitled to conduct business with the three remaining lawmakers in the State House of Assembly who have not vacated their seats.

The judgment, delivered on December 20 by Justice Sika Aprioku, dismissed a lawsuit seeking to compel Governor Fubara to re-present the proposed N800 billion 2024 state budget to 27 aggrieved lawmakers.

Meanwhile, the lawmakers, led by Martins Amaewhule, had been embroiled in a dispute following their alleged removal.

The case, filed under suit number PHC/3552/CS/2024 by the Registered Trustees of the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners, aimed to challenge the governor's engagement with the remaining legislators.

However, the plaintiffs argued that all members of the assembly must be involved in the budget process.

Justice Aprioku ruled in favour of Governor Fubara and the Rivers State Government, stating that there was no legal requirement for the governor to re-present the budget to the 27 lawmakers.

The court affirmed the validity of conducting business with the three sitting legislators.

The claimants in the lawsuit challenged why the defendants had not re-submitted the 2024 Rivers State Appropriation Bill to the State House of Assembly, led by Amaewhule, for proper enactment into law.

In his judgment, Justice Aprioku, after reviewing the arguments from both sides, ruled that the governor is authorized to conduct business with assembly members who have not vacated their seats.

The judgment read, “The governor cannot carry on business with those who defected and lost their seats by that act of defection.

“Therefore, the same way His Excellency Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, presented budgets and financial bills with only six members, when the numbers were less than two third 2/3 of the 32 members, so shall His Excellency, Siminalayi Fubara, the Governor of Rivers State be constitutionally guided to interface, and approach the properly constituted House of Assembly led by Oko-Jumbo, to carry on business of the state and until the 27 lawmakers who defected and lost their seats, approaches the court, for a redemption or INEC conducts another election to the seats vacated by the 27 lawmakers upon their defection.

“In sum, until the Supreme Court gives its verdict on the issue of jurisdiction which affects the status of the 27 lawmakers, it is only those who did not vacate their seats, the governor can, constitutionally approach to present budget, appoint Chief Judges and President Customary Court. Also screen commissioners, including the Attorney General and make board appointments.

“That the claimant’s claim seeking declaratory and injunctive reliefs for the representation of the 2024 budget to the former 27 lawmakers, who defected and automatically vacated their seats, lacks merit and is accordingly dismissed.

“That this suit be and is hereby dismissed, with cost in the sum of N500,000.00, awarded in favour of the defendants and against the claimant.”

https://saharareporters.com/2025/01/06/rivers-governor-can-carry-out-state-business-3-lawmakers-just-ex-gov-wike-did-6
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Fu"k with made Niggaz, call the grave diggaz

Real Niggaz don't play second fiddle to lower breeds

SIM a real Nigga

As the saying goes, Life is in circles.

Happy new year Nairaland

Those 27 ex-assembly members has no good intentions. They want recognition so that they can team up against the governor. Failed Fathers & Husbands who turned their selves to errand boys.

"Therefore, the same way His Excellency Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, presented budgets and financial bills with only six members, when the numbers were less than two third 2/3 of the 32 members, so shall His Excellency, Siminalayi Fubara, the Governor of Rivers State be constitutionally guided to interface, and approach the properly constituted House of Assembly led by Oko-Jumbo, to carry on business of the state

Safe to say the governor is following the footsteps of his predecessor

But nobody take rivers state high court serious courtesy of FUBARA 😆😆

yarimo:
But nobody take rivers state high court serious courtesy of FUBARA 😆😆

agbero union want to foister another creator to create River State like the fraud they said created Lagos State but FUBARA no gree

yarimo:
But nobody take rivers state high court serious courtesy of FUBARA 😆😆

Are you aware Wike transacted with 6 lawmakers as gov?
You should cover your head in shame

Maxymilliano:
Safe to say the governor is following the footsteps of his predecessor

I'm surprised really
Wike's dogs have been barking all over the Internet about how wrong it is to run the House with 3 members when their god also worked with a 6 member house!!

Before March,20th, this year,the Supreme Court will deliver the final verdict on this. Trust me, that will transform the landscape of Rivers politics.

correctyourself:
Those 27 ex-assembly members has no good intentions. They want recognition so that they can team up against the governor. Failed Fathers & Husbands who turned their selves to errand boys.

They were led astray by their master, Wike.