The political standoff in Rivers State has taken a dramatic turn as the State House of Assembly escalates its confrontation with Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
In a series of bold and unprecedented moves, the Assembly has thrown the State’s governance and electoral plans into uncertainty, setting the stage for the continuation of the high-stakes showdown.
RSIEC Officials Summoned Amid Election Dispute
The Assembly has summoned the Chairman and Commissioners of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to appear before it.
The officials have been given until the 7th of March 2025 to comply. Should they fail to do so, the Assembly has threatened to issue a warrant for their arrest—a move that underscores the deepening rift between the legislative and executive branches of the state government.
Local Elections Halted Over Legal Concerns
The rescheduled local government elections, which were set to take place soon, have now been put on hold.
The Assembly insists that the polls cannot proceed until two key laws—the Rivers State Local Government Amendment Law and the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission Law—are amended to align with the national Electoral Act. The Assembly has accused the RSIEC of ignoring its earlier letter, which stressed the need to pause the elections until these legal changes are made.
This delay has sparked concerns about the potential impact on democratic processes in the State.
48-Hour Ultimatum to Governor Fubara
Adding fuel to the fire, the Assembly has also issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Governor Fubara, demanding that he submit the names of 19 nominees for commissioner and other key appointments.
These nominees must undergo screening and confirmation by the legislature—a process the Assembly insists is non-negotiable.
The ultimatum places significant pressure on the Governor, who now faces a tight deadline to comply or risk further confrontation.
Unconfirmed Appointments Branded “Imposters”
In a strongly worded motion, the Assembly has condemned the formation of the state cabinet and the operation of the government with officials who have not been screened or confirmed by the legislature.
Going a step further, the Assembly has labelled these officials as “imposters”—a striking term that highlights the depth of their disapproval.
This language reflects the deepening animosity between the two branches of government.
A Political Crisis Deepens
What began as a disagreement has now spiralled into a full-blown political crisis.
The Assembly’s actions signal a firm stance against what it perceives as executive overreach, while Governor Fubara faces mounting pressure to address the demands of the legislature.
With both sides seemingly unwilling to back down, the situation threatens to disrupt governance and delay crucial democratic processes in Rivers State.
As the clock ticks on the 48-hour ultimatum and the standoff shows no signs of abating, all eyes are on Port Harcourt to see how this high-stakes political drama will unfold.
