The resolution by the Rivers Assembly led by Martin Amaewhule has been rejected by the pro-democracy People’s Congress (PC), according to a recent statement, as published by the Daily Post. Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s spending is put on hold by this resolution until he represents his budget to the divided House.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
The factional House of Assembly announced the shutdown of all expenditures during a plenary on Monday, demanding that Governor Fubara re-present his budget.
However, Dr. Nicholas Udenta, President of the PC, criticized the lawmakers’ actions, calling them political grandstanding with no legal basis.
According to Udenta, the lawmakers are no longer members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, having defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He described the resolution as an illegal joke, stating that Governor Fubara had signed the N800 billion budget into law in December 2023, after presenting it to lawmakers led by the former speaker, Edison Ehie.
Udenta stressed that the resolution by Amaewhule and his colleagues is a distracting joke that should be ignored.
He noted that the only recognized Rivers Assembly, according to law and the people of Rivers State, is led by Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo.
The PC expressed deep disappointment at the resolution of Martin Amaewhule and his colleagues, highlighting that they lost their membership of the Rivers Assembly after their defection.
Udenta stated that Amaewhule and his colleagues lack the legal standing to make such demands from a democratically elected governor, urging the Governor to ignore their distracting actions.
Udenta also pointed out that the 2024 Rivers State budget was signed into law in December 2023 after being presented and approved by lawmakers led by the former speaker, Edison Ehie.
Most of the projects captured in the budget are either completed or nearing completion.
He urged Governor Fubara to remain focused on his duties and not be moved by the illegitimate group’s threats.
The PC advised the current speaker, Rt. Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo, to ignore these distractions and continue to discharge his responsibilities with integrity.
“We are deeply disappointed at the resolution of Martin Amaewhule and his co-travellers, which purportedly suspends all expenditures of Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara until he re-presents his budget before the House.”
“Therefore, Martin Amaewhule and his colleagues lack the locus standi to make such demands from a democratically elected governor. Their resolution is simply an illegal joke taken too far. We urge the Governor to completely ignore their distracting actions.”
“We warn the former lawmakers to desist from their illegal actions, as they are no longer recognised as members of the Rivers State Assembly. Their attempts to disrupt the state’s governance will not be tolerated,” he stated.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
