Supreme Court ruled in favour of Fubara – Rivers Lawmakers

The coalition of opposition lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly has said that contrary to what is “believed by disgruntled elements,” no Supreme Court judgment was delivered on Monday against the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara. This was after Fubara withdrew an appeal he filed before the Supreme Court, challenging the rulings delivered by two lower courts against his decision to present the 2024 Rivers State Appropriation Bill to only four out of 31 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. According to the courts, Fubara’s action was a gross violation of the 1999 Constitution, as amended. However, on Monday, an appeal filed by the governor before the Supreme Court was withdrawn by his lawyer, Yusuf Ali. The decision has been interpreted by some quarters to mean that the governor will now abide by the rulings delivered by the lower courts, which they said affirmed Martin Amaewhule as Speaker of the Rivers Assembly. Clarifying the situation, the opposition lawmakers said Hon. Oko Jumbo was still in charge as Speaker of the Rivers Assembly. The lawmakers, through their spokesperson, Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, said the outcome of Monday’s Supreme Court activity was in favour of Fubara, as it was predicated on his withdrawal of the appeal through his lawyer. According to him, Fubara did not lose any case at the Supreme Court, adding that he withdrew his appeal over the 2024 budget, which was already spent and executed. Ugochinyere noted that no court had ruled anything in favour of the lawmakers opposed to Jumbo as Speaker, stressing that Fubara withdrew his appeal on the 2024 budget due to the fact that the 2024 budget had expired and the Supreme Court struck it out. He assured Nigerians, particularly Rivers State people, that Jumbo is still the authentic speaker and nothing can change that, urging them to disregard the political propaganda peddled by “some sour losers who are still being delusional.” Ugochinyere then tasked the media with truthful reportage by verifying facts before reporting legal issues. He urged Fubara to remain focused on delivering good governance to the people of Rivers State and ignore political shenanigans.