A five-member panel of the Supreme Court, chaired by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji, has dismissed an appeal by Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara challenging the leadership of the Rivers State House of Assembly under Martin Amaewhule.
In its ruling, the court imposed a two-million-naira cost on Governor Fubara, payable to the Rivers State House of Assembly and Amaewhule as the first and second respondents, respectively. The dismissal followed the withdrawal of the suit by Fubara’s counsel, Yusuf Ali.
The Rivers Assembly has been entangled in a leadership crisis since 2023, when over 25 lawmakers loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The Amaewhule-led leadership was contested by a rival faction headed by Victor Oko-Jumbo, who is aligned with Governor Fubara.
Fubara has conducted state business with the Oko-Jumbo faction while sidelining the Amaewhule group.
In October 2024, the Court of Appeal in Abuja upheld a Federal High Court ruling that nullified the N800 billion Rivers State 2024 budget passed by pro-Fubara lawmakers, citing a lack of merit in Fubara’s appeal. The appellate court invalidated both the presentation and passage of the budget by the rival faction.