Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has once again extended an olive branch to members of the Martins Amaewhule-led State House of Assembly, urging them to embrace peace for the sake of governance and the state’s development.
The governor made this appeal on Thursday, March 13, 2025, while commissioning several projects in the Okrika Local Government Area of the state.
He pleaded with the lawmakers, widely regarded as loyalists of his predecessor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to set aside their differences and prioritise the interests of the oil-rich state.
“It is important at this stage that we all embrace peace,” Fubara stated, emphasising that reconciliation was necessary to move the state forward.
Governor Fubara called on all aggrieved political stakeholders in the state to put past conflicts behind them and work towards fully implementing the Supreme Court ruling on the Rivers Assembly crisis.
The apex court had, on Friday, February 28, 2025, delivered a landmark verdict that favoured the pro-Wike lawmakers, effectively reinforcing their legitimacy amid the ongoing power struggle in the state.
Acknowledging the court’s decision, Fubara maintained that his administration had no choice but to abide by the ruling and had already begun the process of implementation.
“The Supreme Court has made its judgment, and we don’t have any option but to abide by it. By the special grace of God, we have started the process.
“We are appealing to other parties to consider the interest of Rivers State. The only thing that we owe this state is peace and development.
“I am open any day, any time for total peace in our state because if I have to govern well, there is the need for peace,” the governor affirmed.
Despite the governor’s peace overtures, tensions between the executive and the legislature continue to simmer.
On Wednesday, Fubara was denied access to the State Assembly Quarters when he attempted to re-present the state’s 2025 budget, as mandated by the House and in compliance with the Supreme Court ruling.
While the governor insisted that he had formally communicated his planned visit to Speaker Amaewhule in advance, the Assembly leadership refuted the claim, stating that it had received no such notification.
