Governor Siminalayi Fubara was a mistake, according to Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly Martins Amaewhule, who said that the wealthy oil state had never encountered the current political predicament.
Speaking in plenary on Thursday, Amaewhule reportedly claimed that Fubara’s administration and his deputy, Ngozi Nma Odu, pose a threat to the state’s democratic governance.
The Speaker declared, “Fubara is a mistake, Rivers State has never had it this bad,” while accused Fubara of purposefully undermining legislative authority and constitutional governance.
Amaewhule bemoaned Rivers State’s failure to submit its 2026 Appropriations Bill, calling the situation embarrassing and unprecedented.
He claims that Rivers State is the only state in Nigeria—possibly all of West Africa—that has yet to submit a budget for the current fiscal year.
He emphasized that he would make sure that a formal letter outlining the Assembly’s concerns is submitted to Governor Fubara and his Deputy within seven days. “It is unbelievable that in the 21st century, a state like Rivers has neither presented nor passed an appropriations bill for 2026.”
The Speaker further accused Governor Fubara of publicly bragging to his followers about the House of Assembly’s lack of authority, calling members “toothless bulldogs” who are unable to uphold the constitution.
Amaewhule insisted that the governor and his deputy have disregarded due process and democratic standards, calling the current state of affairs “a sad commentary for Nigeria’s democracy.”
He cautioned that persistent disregard for constitutional obligations could have serious repercussions for state administration.