Rivers State Governor, Siminalyi Fubara has dismissed impeachment concerns despite the Supreme Court’s ruling on Friday. The Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Joseph Johnson disclosed this to the media on Sunday.
Johnson expressed that the governor who has the mandate of the people will obey and respect the law of the state. He added that the Supreme Court didn’t remove Fubara or withhold the allocations of the state.
The Commissioner also disclosed that the governor is not daunted by the shenanigans or detractors of the state. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court in its ruling on Friday, ordered the Federal Government of Nigeria to stop financial allocation to Rivers State.
According to the commissioner, Fubara is waiting to receive the original copy of the court judgment before considering the next line of action. However, reports indicated that the governor is willing to implement court ruling.
The apex court disclosed that Fubara must retrace his steps and present the budget to lawmakers led by Martins Amaewhule. Likewise, the court went on to nullify the local government election conducted last year by the governor.
The court’s judgment has shifted the balance of power to the Wike-backed lawmakers in the state’s political crisis. Recall that In 2023, The Rivers State House of Assembly split into 2 with 27 lawmakers backing Wike while 4 others joined Fubara.
In October, the Wike-backed lawmakers first attempted to impeach Fubara before a strong fireback from the governor stopped the process. This led to the destruction of the assembly complex by a bomb explosion.
However, following their defection from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to All Progressive Congress (APC). The Supreme Court interpreted the move as an aggressive one, ordering the governor to present the state budget before the house led by pro-Wike lawmakers.