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.