The political power tussle in Rivers State has continued as the Martin Amaewhule-led lawmakers have refused to extend an olive branch to the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, by denying him access to the Assembly Complex to re-present his budget to the lawmakers.

Governor Fubara, who went to the state assembly complex in the company of his aides and members of his cabinet, met the gate to the premises locked to prevent his entry, showing the signs that the lawmakers and their leader, Martin Amaewhule, were not ready to allow the governor to appear before them.

The governor, who expressed displeasure with the development, accused Speaker Martin Amaewhule of avoiding him despite the several calls and messages he has placed to the lawmaker, which were unanswered.

Speaking with journalists after waiting for a while at the entrance of the complex, he said, despite his intention to put the interests of the people to fulfil his constitutional duties regardless of the existing event, “Before my arrival here, I made several attempts to speak to the Speaker. I also sent a letter, which was transmitted for this particular invitation.

“Unfortunately, at the gate, you can see that the place is completely sealed, and there is no sign that anything is going to happen today.”

“The reason why we are doing this, I have always said, is in the interest of our people, which is the most important thing. I don’t think there is anything to worry about. I expect to hear from them after today,” he added.

Governor Fubara presented the state budget to the four members of the assembly faction but was knocked down by the Supreme Court, which stated that the presentation was illegal. The apex court thereafter ruled that he represented the budget to the Ameawhule-led assembly with the instruction to the Central Bank of Nigeria not to send federal allocation to the state until the governor obeyed the court order.

Following the judgement of the court, the State House of Assembly gave Governor Fubara a 48-hour ultimatum to present the 2025 budget for consideration. But the state government claimed it would wait for the certified true copy of the Supreme Court judgement before taking steps for its implementation and that they were yet to receive any letter from the House of Assembly on the subject matter.

Subsequently, Governor Fubara, last week, wrote to the state lawmakers, inviting them to a meeting at the Governor’s Office in the Government House for deliberation on how to move forward, as he also announced that he was ready to respect the judgement of the court by re-presenting the budget.

The letter signed by Tammy Danagogo, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), and dated March 7, 2025, was addressed to Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, and other members of the Assembly stated that the governor has received the judgement to have an explicit discussion on “provision of a befitting space for the Assembly’s sittings, payment of all outstanding remuneration or allowances of the honourable members.

“Presentation of budget and sundry matters. Any other matter(s), as may be necessary, to chart the way forward in the best interest of the state.

“Sequel to the above, I hereby humbly invite the Rt. Hon. Speaker and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to a meeting with the Governor as follows:”

“Many thanks, Sir, as we look forward to your kind attendance to chart the way forward in the interest of the good people of Rivers State,” the letter concluded.

However, the lawmakers refused to honour the invitation letter sent by the governor, claiming that the letter was not properly channelled to them as they only saw the invitation on social media.