The Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Siminalayi Fubara has invited the reinstated lawmakers for a meeting, following the verdict by the Supreme Court, an invitation which has been faulted by a former member of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Samuel Ogeh.
Fubara had been ordered to present the 2025 budget to Amaewhule and the other lawmakers whom the court recognised as legitimate members of the state House of Assembly, which he did through a letter signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Tammy Danagogo.
However, Ogeh believes that the letter was disrespectful as the governor did not sight it himself. This position he made during the Channels Television Sunday Programme.
“If there is good intention there is nothing wrong, but people must learn how to accept their mistakes. I am not speaking for the Speaker, but what I am saying is from my point of view, that letter is not intended to achieve any good result because it smacks of disrespect to the House,” Ogeh said
Opposing this view is the ex-Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Ibim Semenitari, who said the invitation presents an avenue to achieve lasting peace in the crisis-hit South-South state.
“I would like to believe that (it will bring a lasting peace) because ultimately this is about Rivers’ interest and all of the gladiators are Rivers men and women. I would hate that there would be one Rivers citizen who won’t want peace at last. So, I would like to hope that there will be peace at last”.
While the discord in the state House of Assembly ended with the Supreme Court’s ruling, Fubara was given 48 hours to present the 2025 budget to the lawmakers for consideration.
An invitation was then sent, with a meeting scheduled to be held at the Governor’s Office in the Government House, Port Harcourt, on Monday.
