In the aftermath of a Federal High Court dismissing a case seeking to remove the Speaker and 26 other lawmakers, Rivers State House of Assembly Speaker Martins Amaewhule has accused Governor Siminialayi Fubara of repeatedly violating the Nigerian Constitution and disregarding the rule of law. The court ruled that the case, filed by the All Peoples Party (APP), was an abuse of legal process, as reported by The Nation Newspaper,
Reacting to the judgment, Speaker Amaewhule expressed skepticism about Governor Fubara’s willingness to comply with the court’s decision, citing the governor’s history of disregarding judicial orders. “We listened to the judge, who referenced previous rulings and court orders that the governor of Rivers has failed to respect. I know he will also not respect this one,” Amaewhule said.
The Speaker further accused Governor Fubara of willfully defying the Constitution and judicial rulings, including those of the Supreme Court, in his bid to remove them from office. “Fubara has sworn not to respect judgments of the court, even the Supreme Court, and he has decided to govern Rivers outside every provision of the law,” Amaewhule asserted.
The dismissed case, filed by the APP, had sought to remove the Speaker and 26 other lawmakers from their positions. However, the Federal High Court determined that the case was an abuse of legal process, ruling in favor of the legislators.
Governor Fubara has not yet responded to the Speaker’s accusations, but the allegations of repeatedly violating the Constitution and disregarding court orders raise serious questions about the state of governance in Rivers State.
Peoplesmind