The Supreme Court has dismissed the appeal filed by Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, challenging the leadership of the Rivers State House of Assembly headed by Martin Amaewhule. A five-man panel led by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji issued the ruling, awarding a cost of ₦2 million against the governor, payable to the Rivers State House of Assembly as the first respondent and Martin Amaewhule as the second respondent.
The appeal was dismissed following its withdrawal by Fubara’s counsel, Yusuf Ali.
The Rivers Assembly has been in turmoil since 2023, when over 25 lawmakers loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). This led to a leadership crisis, with Amaewhule’s leadership contested by a rival group led by Victor Oko-Jumbo, known to be loyal to Fubara.
Despite the crisis, Fubara has conducted state affairs with the Oko-Jumbo group while disregarding the Amaewhule faction.
In October 2024, the Court of Appeal in Abuja upheld a Federal High Court ruling that nullified the N800 billion 2024 Rivers State budget passed by the pro-Fubara faction of the Assembly. The appellate court dismissed Fubara’s appeal, stating it lacked merit, and invalidated the presentation and passage of the 2024 budget.