Rivers Govt accuses Assembly of blocking Fubara from implementing Supreme Court judgment

The Rivers State Government has accused the State House of Assembly of deliberately obstructing Governor Siminalayi Fubara from fully implementing the recent Supreme Court judgment regarding the state’s political crisis.

Addressing journalists at a press conference in Port Harcourt on Monday, the Rivers State Commissioner for Information, Joseph Johnson alleged that despite the governor’s willingness to comply with the verdict, the Assembly had continued to create obstacles to frustrate the implementation process.

Governor Fubara, he noted, had remained committed to upholding the rule of law and respecting the decision of the nation’s highest court, even though the ruling did not favor his administration.

The Supreme Court judgment, delivered earlier this month, was expected to resolve the protracted political dispute in Rivers State, particularly concerning the crisis between the governor and the state legislature.

However, the state government claims that the Assembly has taken deliberate steps to prevent the full implementation of the ruling, further deepening the political standoff.

While Johnson did not elaborate on the specific actions of the Assembly, he insisted that certain lawmakers were working against the governor’s efforts to ensure peace and stability in the state.

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Legal experts and political analysts have weighed in on the controversy, with some describing the situation as a constitutional crisis that could affect governance in Rivers State.

A constitutional lawyer, Barrister Paul Nwosu, stated that “The Supreme Court ruling is final and binding. Any attempt to block its implementation could be seen as contempt of court. It is crucial that all arms of government in Rivers State work together to ensure compliance with the law.”

Similarly, political analyst Dr. Chima Ndukwe noted that “The ongoing crisis is a test of democratic governance in Rivers State. If the legislature and executive remain at loggerheads, it could lead to political instability that will ultimately affect governance and development.”

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In his address, Commissioner Johnson urged all stakeholders, including the State Assembly, to support Governor Fubara in executing the court’s decision in the interest of peace and stability.

“We must put the interest of Rivers people above all else. The governor is committed to doing the right thing, and we expect the lawmakers to also act responsibly by ensuring that governance is not disrupted,” Johnson stated.

Meanwhile, political observers are closely monitoring developments in the state, as tensions between the executive and legislature continue to escalate.

With the next steps unclear, all eyes are now on Governor Fubara and the Rivers State House of Assembly to see whether a resolution can be reached in the coming days.