Governor Fubara Addresses Locked Gates Incident at Rivers State Assembly

 

On March 12, 2025, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara faced an unexpected obstacle when he arrived at the Rivers State House of Assembly complex to present the 2025 Appropriation Bill. This visit was in response to a Supreme Court ruling on February 28, 2025, mandating the governor to submit the state budget to the faction of the Assembly led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, a political ally of Nyesom Wike, the former governor and current Federal Capital Territory Minister. However, upon reaching the Assembly, Fubara and his team discovered the gates locked, preventing them from entering. This incident has since fueled political debates and drawn widespread attention across Nigeria.

Fubara’s Account of the Assembly Incident

Governor Fubara later spoke publicly about the situation, shedding light on his experience and intentions. He explained that his visit to the Assembly was a genuine effort to comply with the Supreme Court’s directive and fulfill his constitutional responsibilities. According to Fubara, he had taken proactive steps to inform Speaker Amaewhule of his planned visit. He sent a formal letter on March 11, 2025, and attempted to reach the Speaker by phone. Despite these efforts, he was met with locked gates upon arrival, an outcome he described as disheartening.

In his statements, Fubara emphasized that his administration remains committed to serving the people of Rivers State. He expressed a willingness to return and present the budget whenever the Assembly is prepared to receive it, suggesting that external instructions might have influenced the decision to bar his entry. Fubara framed the incident as a minor setback in his broader mission to prioritize governance and improve the lives of Rivers residents.

To underscore his dedication to public welfare, Fubara highlighted a positive development from the same day: the commissioning of the Bori Zonal Hospital. This healthcare facility, he noted, represents a significant step toward enhancing medical services in the state. By juxtaposing this achievement with the Assembly incident, Fubara sought to reassure the public of his administration’s focus on progress, despite ongoing political challenges.

The Assembly’s Response and Counterclaims

The Rivers State House of Assembly, through its spokesperson Enemi Alabo George, offered a contrasting narrative. George denied Fubara’s claim that the Assembly had been informed of his visit, asserting that no official communication was received from the governor. The Assembly accused Fubara of staging the event as a publicity stunt designed to discredit their reputation. Labeling the governor’s actions a “comedy skit,” George argued that the Assembly had consistently urged Fubara to present the budget following the Supreme Court ruling, but he had failed to comply until this point.

The Assembly’s rebuttal paints the incident as a calculated move by Fubara to shift public perception in his favor amid an escalating political rivalry. This disagreement has further deepened the divide between the governor and the Amaewhule-led faction, which remains loyal to Nyesom Wike.

The Political Context of the Rivers State Crisis

The locked gates incident is a symptom of a larger political conflict in Rivers State, driven by the rivalry between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike. This power struggle has split the state’s political landscape, with the Amaewhule-led Assembly faction aligned with Wike, while Fubara commands support from a rival faction led by Victor Oko-Jumbo. The Supreme Court ruling, which recognized Amaewhule’s group as the legitimate Assembly, also invalidated a local government election held on October 5, 2024, and instructed the Central Bank of Nigeria to withhold Rivers State’s financial allocations until the budget is presented to the Amaewhule faction.

This ongoing crisis has significant implications for governance in Rivers State. The budget presentation delay has hindered the state’s ability to access federal funds, potentially stalling development projects and public services. The political tension has also raised concerns about stability in the oil-rich state, which plays a critical role in Nigeria’s economy.

Implications and Next Steps

Governor Fubara’s experience at the Rivers State Assembly complex underscores the challenges of navigating political rivalries within a legal framework. His commitment to returning and presenting the budget signals an intent to resolve the standoff, but the Assembly’s response suggests that mutual distrust may complicate future negotiations. For Rivers State residents, the priority remains ensuring that governance continues uninterrupted, with access to essential services and development initiatives.

The commissioning of the Bori Zonal Hospital, as highlighted by Fubara, offers a glimmer of hope amid the political turmoil. This project demonstrates that the administration is capable of delivering tangible benefits to the public, even as it grapples with internal conflicts. Moving forward, stakeholders will be watching closely to see how Fubara and the Assembly resolve their differences and whether the budget presentation can proceed smoothly.

Conclusion

The locked gates incident at the Rivers State Assembly on March 12, 2025, has brought the political crisis in Rivers State into sharp focus. Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s attempt to comply with a Supreme Court ruling was met with resistance, sparking a war of words between his administration and the Assembly. As the situation unfolds, the people of Rivers State await a resolution that prioritizes their welfare over political rivalries. With ongoing developments such as the Bori Zonal Hospital commissioning, there is potential for progress, provided the key players can find common ground.

For the latest updates on the Rivers State political crisis and Governor Fubara’s next steps, stay tuned to credible news sources. This situation serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between law, politics, and governance in Nigeria’s dynamic landscape.