ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- A fresh political storm is brewing in Rivers State as Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, has accused Governor Siminalayi Fubara of reigniting tensions through what he described as false and misleading public statements.
Amaewhule faulted the governor’s recent claim that he had been unable to meet with lawmakers, insisting that Fubara’s comments were untrue and intended to create the impression of a communication breakdown.
“It’s important I make this clarification: first and foremost, the governor lied when he said he hasn’t been able to meet with members of the Rivers State House of Assembly,” Amaewhule said.
“Shortly after the State of Emergency was called off, the FCT Minister convened a meeting with the governor and principal officers of the Assembly. I was in that meeting.”
According to the Speaker, lawmakers had met with Fubara several times, contrary to the governor’s assertions.
He criticised the governor’s remarks as “insincere” and a display of “poor leadership,” alleging that they were part of a deliberate effort to create tension and portray a breakdown in relations.
Amaewhule urged residents of the state to disregard the governor’s comments and remain alert as political uncertainties persist.
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Meanwhile, Governor Fubara on Wednesday dismissed claims of any disagreement between him and federal or state lawmakers from Rivers State.
He described the rumours of strained relations as unfounded and politically motivated.
Speaking at the commissioning of the extended and dualised 28.4-kilometre Ahoada Omoku Road, the governor insisted he had already concluded arrangements for a meeting with the lawmakers.
Fubara, who defected from the PDP to the APC on Tuesday, also called on Rivers people to support President Bola Tinubu, saying his defection was aimed at restoring peace and ensuring development, not pursuing personal ambition.
He explained that his predecessor and current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, elder statesman Ferdinand Alabraba, and other leaders were involved in facilitating the proposed meeting with lawmakers.
Anyone alleging he rejected such engagements, he said, “is not telling the truth.”
Recall that governor Fubara and former Governor Nyesom Wike have been locked in a power struggle over control of the state’s political structure since 2023.
The crisis intensified when the Martin Amaewhule-led Assembly clashed with the governor, prompting President Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in March 2025.
Relying on Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, Tinubu suspended the governor, his deputy, and the Assembly for six months, appointing retired naval chief Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.) as sole administrator.
The crisis seemed to ease in June after the President met with all major actors, including Fubara, Wike, and Amaewhule, signaling reconciliation efforts.
Both Fubara and Wike were later seen attending a state event together.
In September, Tinubu lifted the emergency rule, saying intelligence reports indicated “a new spirit of understanding and readiness” among stakeholders to restore democratic governance.