The crisis in Rivers State continues to escalate as the State House of Assembly overrides Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s veto and passes the Rivers State Local Government (Amendment) Bill into law.
Led by Speaker Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, the House made this decision during its 159th legislative sitting held at the Assembly Quarters in Port Harcourt on Monday.
According to a statement issued by the Speaker’s media aide, Martins Wachukwu, the bill had previously been passed by the House and forwarded to the governor for assent, which he declined.
In defiance of the governor’s decision, the Majority Leader, Hon. Major Jack, represented the bill, which was then debated by members. Utilizing the authority granted by Section 100(5) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, as amended, the House voted with a two-thirds majority to override the governor’s veto and pass the bill into law.
In addition to the LG Amendment Bill, the House also screened and confirmed nominees for the position of Chairman and Members of the Assembly Service Commission.
The confirmed nominees include Sampson Worlu as Chairman, along with Hon. Abinye Blessing Pepple, Mrs. Blessing Belema Derefaka, Mr. Gbaranen Robinson, and Madam Dorcas Amos as Members.
The statement also mentioned the passage of the Rivers State Assembly Service Commission (Amendment) Bill into law, granting the House the power to appoint the Chairman and Members of the Assembly Service Commission.
In a somber moment, Speaker Rt. Hon. Amaewhule announced the passing of Mr. Lucky Amadi, husband of Hon. Emilia Lucky Amadi, a member of the Assembly. The House expressed its condolences and planned to pay a visit to their colleague.
The rift between Governor Fubara and 27 Assembly members loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Woke, continues to intensify, contributing to the ongoing political turmoil in the state.