PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria — The Rivers State House of Assembly has accused Siminalayi Fubara, the governor of the state, of engaging in unapproved spending and awarding contracts without legislative consent, intensifying a political standoff that has continued to unsettle one of Nigeria’s most politically volatile states.
Speaking at a press conference, Martin Amaewhule, the speaker of the assembly, said lawmakers had lost confidence in the governor’s handling of public finances, alleging persistent violations of constitutional procedures since his reinstatement in September.
“From September, when we met the governor, till this day, the governor has been spending without our approval, awarding contracts to his cronies, particularly those who masterminded the burning of the Rivers house of assembly,” Amaewhule said.
“The governor does not seek the approval of the assembly to spend.”
The allegations directly contradict statements made by Fubara on Wednesday, when he publicly denied having any unresolved dispute with lawmakers.
At the inauguration of the extension of the Ahoada–Omoku road, the governor described claims that he had refused to engage the assembly as “pure lies” and said repeated efforts to meet with legislative leaders had failed because no meeting was scheduled.
Amaewhule rejected that account, accusing the governor of misrepresenting events and deliberately stoking political tension.
“It’s important I make this clarification; first and foremost, the governor lied when he said he hasn’t been able to meet with members of the Rivers state house of assembly,” the speaker said.
He disclosed that a meeting between the executive and the legislature had in fact taken place shortly after emergency rule in the state was lifted, adding that it was convened at the instance of Nyesom Wike, the minister of the Federal Capital Territory and a central figure in the Rivers political crisis.
“Shortly after the state of emergency was called off, the FCT minister called a meeting with the governor and principal officials of the assembly. I can confirm I was in that meeting,” Amaewhule said.
According to the speaker, agreements reached during that meeting were later ignored by the governor, further eroding trust between the two arms of government.
He accused Fubara of intentionally creating the impression of a communication breakdown in order to justify unilateral actions.
Amaewhule said the governor was “painting a false picture” to inflame public sentiment and potentially prepare the ground for renewed instability in the state.
The latest exchange revives memories of the crisis that engulfed Rivers earlier this year. In March, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency following months of political unrest triggered by a breakdown in relations between Fubara and Wike.
The crisis split the state house of assembly and culminated in the suspension of the governor, his deputy and the lawmakers.
Emergency rule was lifted in September, with Tinubu reinstating both the executive and the legislature in an effort to restore normal governance. Since then, however, tensions have continued to simmer beneath the surface, with both sides trading accusations over cooperation, authority and constitutional compliance.
