Supreme Court: Rivers Governor, Fubara Offers Olive Branch to Amaewhule, Others

Against the Supreme Court’s attempt to set Rivers State ablaze, Governor Siminalayi Fubara has extended an olive branch to Martins Amaewhule and 26 others, by inviting them to a meeting in Government House, Port Harcourt.

Fubara took the initiative after the recent strange judgments issued by the Supreme Court on cases involving the Governor and State House of Assembly almost threw the State into anarchy.

Martin Amaewhule and his 26 colleagues had defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on which platform they were elected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), a move which by the provisions of Section 108 of the Constitution makes them no longer members of the State Assembly.  

But in a twist on Sunday, March 9, 2025, a letter with reference number: GO/SSG/ADM/125/72 dated 7th March, 2025, and signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo, addressed to Amaewhule invited him and 26 others to a meeting with the Governor.

On the agenda, according to the letter, were i) Provision of a befitting space for the Assembly’s sittings; ii) Payment of all outstanding remuneration or allowances of the Honourable members; iii) Presentation of Budget and sundry matters; and iv) Any other matter(s), as may be necessary, to chart the way forward in the best interest of the State.

Recall that a constitutional lawyer, Professor Anthony Agbazuere had on a live television program stated that Governor Fubara was hasty in reacting to the Supreme Court judgments given that the certified true copies (CTC) of the judgments were not out yet.

He stressed that the certified true copies of the apex court’s pronouncements by law must be out within seven days after judgment or pronouncement by the court.

He noted that the Governor acted in haste by sacking the duly elected chairmen of the 23 local government areas in the State, pointing out that the Supreme Court remains ousted in litigations regarding local government elections.

He stated that the Supreme Court had no jurisdiction over Local government elections and the appeal on such elections are vested in the State Election Tribunal and ends at the State High Court, not even the Appeal Court.

He further disclosed that “the fact that the Supreme Court made observations does not mean it has the legal standing to rule on matter”.

“There are instances where courts make remarks that are not enforceable; that is why the certified true copy (CTC) of the judgment as assertion to determine the scope of the rulings.”

Prof. Agbazuere also revealed that Governor Fubara can charge Martin Amaewhule to court for perjury for denying that he and his co-travelers did not defect after admitting in a sworn affidavit in a Federal High Court in Abuja that they defected from the PDP to APC on Wednesday, December 13, 2023.

He said the offence of perjury carries a sentence of 14 years imprisonment, urging Amaewhule to be truthful and law-abiding.

Apparently, the Governor still has his aces in law and other avenues strong enough to sustain his leverage over Amaewhule and their erstwhile boss, Nyesom Wike, but he chose to reach out and call for this meeting.

While, it was unclear what game the Governor was playing, political pundits view this as another effort by the Governor to still place the interest and tranquility of the State above personal and political interest.

On the altar to be sacrificed by the Governor as his henchmen, Victor Oko-Jumbo, Goodboy Sokari and Adolphus Oruibienimigha; his commissioners, the already presented, confirmed and signed budget 2025, and as well several other issues.

On the part of Amaewhule and his colleagues, questions are being if they would be ready to mend fences with Oko-Jumbo, Sokari and Oruibinimigha, pass the budget without any tantrums and sheathe their swords generally.   

Should they refuse to play ball with the Governor, they opine that the 27 defected lawmakers stand to lose a lot, as the Governor can leverage a myriad options to frustrate their efforts.

Already, the governor is having the Federal High Court review the issue of their defection which could go against them as the facts of their defection are obvious. Also, the current State Executive Council members have dragged them to court over a resolution declaring them illegal.

The State Electoral Commission (RSIEC) have also dragged Amaewhule and his colleagues to court for interfering with its activities by summoning its chairman to appear before them.