In a significant legal blow to Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, the Supreme Court on Monday dismissed his suit seeking to unseat 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, who are loyal to former governor and current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
The lawmakers were accused of defecting from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The dismissal came after Fubara’s lead counsel, Yusuf Ali (SAN), surprisingly withdrew the appeal, citing that “events have overtaken the matter” and describing the lawmakers as “our friends,” hinting at a possible reconciliation.

Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), representing the lawmakers and Speaker Martin Amaewhule, did not oppose the withdrawal but urged the court for an outright dismissal, arguing that both parties had already filed and exchanged legal briefs.
The three-man panel, led by Justice Musa Uwani-Aba-Aji, agreed and dismissed the suit, awarding N4 million in costs against Governor Fubara to be paid to the Assembly and its Speaker.

This ruling solidifies the legal standing of the 27 pro-Wike lawmakers, who have been at the center of a political crisis in Rivers State. Addressing journalists after the court session, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Ken Njemanze, stated that the decision clears the path for the lawmakers to fully reclaim their legislative powers.
“All actions taken by Governor Fubara, including the presentation of the 2024 and 2025 budgets to just three lawmakers, are now null and void,” Njemanze said.
This Supreme Court decision follows a series of earlier defeats for Fubara. In October 2024, the Court of Appeal dismissed a similar appeal, and in January 2024, the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, nullified the passage of the state’s N800 billion 2024 budget by four lawmakers loyal to Fubara, describing it as illegal and unconstitutional.

Justice Omotosho had also criticized Fubara’s actions, including the partial demolition of the Assembly complex and withholding of legislative funds, calling them tyrannical. The judge ordered the governor to re-present the budget to the Amaewhule-led Assembly and restrained him from interfering with the lawmakers’ duties.
With this Supreme Court ruling, the political dynamics in Rivers State are set to shift dramatically, as the pro-Wike faction tightens its grip on the legislative arm, further complicating Governor Fubara’s administration.

The political landscape in Rivers State has taken another dramatic turn, as the State High Court invalidated the July 2024 congresses of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), organized by allies of the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The court, presided over by Justice Stephen Jumbo, declared the congresses at the ward, local government, and state levels void from inception, citing their non-compliance with legal orders.
The ruling further complicates the ongoing internal struggles within the PDP, exacerbated by the refusal of Wike’s faction to honor a court injunction halting the process.
The controversial congresses produced Chukwuemeka Aaron, a known Wike loyalist, as state party chairman, leaving Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his supporters on the sidelines.

The congresses, endorsed by the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) but opposed by the PDP Governors’ Forum, sparked a rift that saw Governor Fubara’s faction abandoning the party entirely. They defected to the Action Peoples Party (APP), where they participated in the October 5, 2024, local government elections, marking a significant realignment in Rivers State politics.

The G-60 group in the House of Representatives, through its spokesperson Ikenga Ugochinyere (PDP, Imo), dismissed the congresses as an illegitimate gathering orchestrated by Wike for his loyalists. “It was nothing more than a jamboree with friends,” Ugochinyere remarked, adding that the process undermined the party’s integrity.
Amidst the fallout, the PDP in Rivers State is yet to officially respond to the judgment. Publicity Secretary Kenneth Yorwika confirmed that the party was reviewing the court decision, leaving its next course of action uncertain.
The court ruling and subsequent fragmentation of the PDP underscore deep-seated divisions within the party, raising questions about its ability to maintain cohesion ahead of the next electoral cycle.
The decision also serves as a blow to Wike’s influence in Rivers State, potentially altering the state’s political dynamics.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has assured Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara that the political challenges he is currently facing will ultimately strengthen him as a leader.
Jonathan made this remark on Sunday at the Etche Festival of Food, Art, and Culture in Nihi Community, Etche Local Government Area, during the 10th anniversary of the coronation of Eze Nwala, the Onye Ishi Agwuru III of Ulakwo-Umuselem.

Jonathan, who was also honored with the chieftaincy title of Eze Udo 1 of Etche, urged Rivers residents to stand by Fubara, emphasizing that adversity is part of leadership.
“Nobody becomes a general without fighting battles,” Jonathan said. “These challenges are shaping you, and with the support of the people and God’s guidance, you will emerge stronger.”

The former president warned that unrest in Rivers State, the heart of the Niger Delta, could have far-reaching effects on the nation’s economy.
He called for peace, noting that political offices are temporary. “Allow the governor to fulfill his mandate. After his tenure, others will have their turn,” Jonathan added.
Jonathan praised the agricultural contributions of Etche, calling it the “food basket of the state,” and commended Eze Nwala for a decade of impactful leadership. Eze Nwala reflected on his reign, highlighting milestones in the development of Etche land.
Governor Fubara, who was conferred with the title Dike Oha 1 of Etche by the Supreme Council of Etche Traditional Rulers, expressed gratitude for the support he has received from the Etche and Ikwerre people.
He pledged to continue delivering developmental projects, including ongoing road reconstructions in Egwi, Afara, and Mba communities.

“Your support means everything to me, and I am committed to justifying the trust you have placed in me,” Fubara said.
He also thanked Jonathan for his mentorship and steadfast support during difficult times.

The event underscored the cultural richness of the Etche people and reinforced the call for peace and unity in Rivers State amid political tensions.