Court Clears Governor Fubara to Conduct State Business with Remaining Lawmakers Amid Legislative Crisis

 

A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has ruled that Governor Siminalayi Fubara is legally empowered to transact state business with the three lawmakers who retained their seats in the Rivers State House of Assembly. 

This decision, delivered by Justice Sika Aprioku, comes amidst an ongoing political crisis involving 27 defected lawmakers whose seats were declared vacated following their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The court emphasized that the governor is constitutionally permitted to work with the remaining legislators until the Supreme Court resolves the jurisdictional issues tied to the defected members.

The judgment also dismissed a suit filed by the Registered Trustees of the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners, which sought to compel Governor Fubara to re-present the controversial N800 billion 2024 budget to the 27 aggrieved lawmakers led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule. Justice Aprioku ruled that those who defected had automatically vacated their seats and lacked the legal standing to demand participation in legislative processes. 

The court further stated that until fresh elections are conducted by INEC or a Supreme Court verdict is issued, only the three remaining lawmakers can constitutionally engage with the governor on state matters, including budget presentations and appointments.This ruling comes as a significant victory for Governor Fubara, who has faced mounting challenges in navigating Rivers State's fractured legislature. 

While critics argue that conducting state business with only three lawmakers undermines democratic principles, supporters point out that similar precedents were set during former Governor Nyesom Wike’s administration. As political tensions remain high, this decision underscores the complexities of governance in Rivers State and sets the stage for further legal and political battles in 2025.