Chibuike Ikenga, the Publicity Secretary of the Rivers APC Caretaker Committee, recently addressed the ongoing division within the Rivers State House of Assembly, highlighting significant political tensions. According to a report shared by PUNCH, Ikenga outlined the conflict arising from a Court of Appeal judgment and Governor Fubara's subsequent dismissal of the ruling.
Ikenga explained that despite the Court of Appeal's judgment on the matter, Governor Fubara immediately dismissed the decision. The governor publicly declared that he only recognizes the Oko-Jumbo-led faction of the House of Assembly as the legitimate lawmakers in the state, effectively disregarding the court's ruling.
He noted that Governor Fubara went on to assert that the 27 lawmakers who announced their defection to the APC had lost their seats. This declaration was made despite the Court of Appeal's ruling, raising concerns about the governor's respect for judicial decisions.
The controversy extends beyond the House of Assembly, as Ikenga expressed worries that Governor Fubara might also disregard the Supreme Court's final judgment concerning local government autonomy. This potential disregard for the highest court's ruling could have significant implications for the state's governance and legal integrity.
Ikenga emphasized the importance of respecting judicial decisions and criticized Governor Fubara's approach. He highlighted the governor's public dismissal of the Court of Appeal's ruling as a concerning precedent for the state's political and legal framework.
Hear him: "It is important to note that the Court of Appeal gave a judgment and that same day, governor Fubara came on air to say that he does not recognise any other person than his selected Oko-Jumbo and a committee of friends as the leadership of the House of Assembly, and he said the (27) House of Assembly members are gone irrespective of the position of the Court of Appeal’s judgment".