Governor Siminalayi Fubara has issued a directive barring all heads and officials of the 23 local government areas in Rivers State from appearing before the Rivers Assembly, particularly the Pro-Wike lawmakers. The governor warned that any chairman who appeared before lawmakers loyal to Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, led by Martin Amaewhule as speaker, would face dismissal.
This directive, contained in an online circular signed by Ebirieneuket Nteile C, Director of Information and Communications for Chairman Local Government Service Commission, was issued on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. The circular states that officials should not honor any invitation by the Assembly without permission from the Acting Chairman of the Local Government Service Commission.
Governor Fubara's action comes in the midst of political tension, as he had earlier declared that the State does not have state lawmakers following the defection of 27 lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), which, according to him, invalidated their mandate as enshrined in the constitution. The governor's directive threatens dismissal for any staff who disobeys or violates the instruction.
