The Rivers State House of Assembly has accused Governor Siminalayi Fubara of spending state funds without legislative approval.
Martin Amaewhule, Speaker of the House, made the claims on Thursday during a press conference attended by lawmakers.
“Since our meeting with the governor in September, he has continued to spend without our consent, awarding contracts to his allies, particularly those implicated in the burning of the Rivers State House of Assembly,” Amaewhule stated.
“The governor does not seek the assembly’s approval before making expenditures.”
Earlier, on Wednesday, Governor Fubara denied any ongoing disputes with the House, describing claims that he refused to engage with lawmakers as “pure lies.” He said he had attempted several times to meet with the assembly leadership since his reinstatement in September, but no meetings were scheduled.
Responding to the governor’s statement, Amaewhule said the assembly had indeed met with Fubara in September at the initiative of Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike. He accused the governor of reneging on agreements reached during that meeting.
“It is important to clarify: the governor lied when he said he hasn’t been able to meet with members of the Rivers State House of Assembly,” Amaewhule said.
“Shortly after the state of emergency was lifted, the FCT minister called a meeting with the governor and principal assembly officials, which I attended.”
The speaker added that Fubara is intentionally portraying a false breakdown in communication with the House to create tension and potentially spark renewed political unrest in the state.
In March, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending the governor, his deputy, and the lawmakers amid a prolonged political crisis. The emergency was lifted in September, with the governor and the state assembly reinstated.
