Thursday, December 4, 2025 - Barely two months after the suspension of emergency rule in Rivers State and the reinstatement of democratic structures, tensions have resurfaced between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and members of the State House of Assembly led by Speaker Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule.
During its 31st Legislative Sitting, the House condemned the
vandalisation of property at the Township School in Port Harcourt and other
schools across the state. Lawmakers lamented the decayed infrastructure in
public primary and secondary schools and accused the executive arm of doing
little to address the situation.
Acting on the report of the House Committee on Education, lawmakers
questioned what Governor Fubara had done with the more than N600 billion
reportedly left in the state’s coffers by the immediate past Sole
Administrator, Rear Admiral Ibok Ete-Ibas (rtd), when he exited office in
September.
Daily Trust recalls that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had in
February 2025 suspended Governor Fubara, his deputy Prof. Ngozi Odu, and the
State House of Assembly for six months over a prolonged political crisis that
was said to have crippled governance. When democratic structures returned on
September 18, 2025, it was claimed that the governor, his predecessor and
political benefactor Nyesom Wike, and the Assembly had resolved to work
together for the stability of the state.
The latest exchanges now suggest that the fragile peace may be
cracking.
Speaking during plenary, Speaker Martins Amaewhule accused the
Rivers State Government of failing to address the deplorable condition of
schools, alleging that available funds were instead spent on sponsoring
protests.
“Public schools in Rivers State, particularly at the primary and
secondary school levels, are in deplorable conditions; it is a fact,” Amaewhule
said. “The reason is abandonment by people who were supposed to do the needful.
As of yesterday, the House Committee Chairman on Education discovered a school
where one teacher is teaching two classes. There is no toilet, no electricity,
yet that school shares a fence with the PHED headquarters.
“That school is directly opposite the police headquarters, yet
vandals have taken over and destroyed what little facilities they had. The
worst is that despite the concerns we raised when this motion first came up,
nothing has happened. The Rivers State Executive Council has done nothing to
remedy the situation. It is a sad commentary.”
The Speaker said the state could not continue to operate schools
without teachers and recalled that the last administration had initiated a
process to employ 10,000 workers before leaving office. “What happened to that
plan?” he asked.
“But when it is time for protest, funds will come. When it is time
to employ teachers and put them in the classrooms, there will be no money. We
cannot fold our arms while our children continue to suffer and our teachers
continue to cry,” he added.
Amaewhule questioned why a state with significant financial
resources had not moved to address the basic needs of its schools.
“Is it that we don’t have funds? Of course we have. As at the time
Administrator Ibas was leaving, he left over N600 billion in the account of
Rivers State. Can’t such funds be used to remedy the situation in our schools?”
he asked.
He said it was unacceptable for schools near the Government House
to be so short-staffed that “pedestrians are called in to help teach pupils.”
“We are the only people mandated by law to fight for our people.
This should not happen in Rivers State,” he added.
I won’t employ to please anybody — Fubara
Responding to the accusations, Governor Fubara said his
administration would only employ workers based on the genuine needs of the
state, not for political satisfaction.
Speaking at the 123rd/124th Combined Quarterly General Meeting of
the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers on Monday, the governor said the
rot in the education sector did not begin under his administration and that
steps were being taken to address the challenges.
“Our vision is clear,” he said. “First, it is to ensure that Rivers
State is safe. It includes providing quality healthcare services, which we are
already delivering. The records are there.”
He listed ongoing work at zonal hospitals in Bori, Ahoada, Omoku
and Degema, adding that his administration was focused on completing critical
projects.
On education, Governor Fubara said the issues predated his tenure.
“You are aware of the poor state of our schools. They never got to that state
in one month or one year; it has been an issue,” he said.
He added that political distractions had slowed progress. “Before
the unfortunate incident that led to the emergency, was there any month we had
one week of rest? But even in the face of crisis, we remained focused.”
Addressing complaints over the halted employment of 10,000 workers,
Fubara said his administration would not bow to pressure.
“I will employ, but it must be based on the needs of the state. I
won’t engage in political employment to please everybody,” he said.
Assembly endorses Tinubu for second term, pledges loyalty to Wike
Meanwhile, the Rivers State House of Assembly on Wednesday passed a
vote of confidence on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, commending him for what it
described as purposeful leadership and urging him to run for a second term.
The resolution followed a motion moved by the Leader of the House,
Hon. Major Jack, and 25 others.
The lawmakers pledged their “unflinching support and unalloyed
loyalty” to the president through the FCT Minister and political leader of
Rivers State, Nyesom Wike.
They called on members of the 10th Assembly to begin mobilising
constituents across the state for the continuation of the “Renewed Hope
Agenda.”
Speaker Amaewhule, in adopting the resolution, described Tinubu as
a “father” and called for continued prayers for the president.
Endorsement sparks social media backlash
However, the Rivers Assembly’s endorsement of the president has
continued to generate ripples on social media. Paul Ibe, media adviser to
former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, criticised the lawmakers, saying it was
unfortunate that the Assembly had abandoned its core mandate.
“Of all the resolutions unanimously adopted by the Rt. Hon. Martin
Chike Amaewhule-led House, none had any direct bearing on the people of
Rivers,” he wrote.
“The resolutions focused on the former governor of Rivers State and
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and President Bola
Tinubu. The most ridiculous was the one that called on Tinubu to run for 2027
with immediate effect.
“The Amaewhule-led House needs to be reminded that its job is to
make laws for the good governance of Rivers and to have oversight over the
state executive, while the National Assembly is expected to serve the interest
of the generality of Nigerians.
“Meanwhile, the money wasted on the live transmission of the Rivers
State House of Assembly sitting—where a vote of confidence in Tinubu and Wike
was passed, and another motion urging Tinubu to run (even though they did not
indicate whether he should run to Bourdillon or Iragbiji)—could have been
better spent on the wellbeing of the people of Rivers.”
“By the way, what’s Wike cooking again? I hope he is not laying the
foundation for another state of emergency in Rivers,” he said.
Other social media users shared similar sentiments. Mazi Onyokpo
(@onyokpo) described the development as a “misplaced priority,” adding, “They
should be ready to convincingly tell Rivers people why Tinubu should continue
in the office beyond May 2027.” Another user, @paulnyeso, wrote, “The five
students of Rivers State University kidnapped is not their business as long as
they sing on your mandate. So unfortunate.”
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