The political standoff in Rivers State has intensified as members of the state House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, have rejected an invitation from Governor Siminalayi Fubara, insisting that he must communicate with them properly rather than through social media.
The governor had invited the lawmakers to a meeting at the Government House on Monday, March 10, through a letter signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Tammy Danagogo. The meeting was expected to discuss key issues, including the provision of a sitting space for the Assembly, payment of outstanding allowances, and the presentation of the 2025 budget.
However, the 27 lawmakers loyal to former governor Nyesom Wike have refused to attend unless the invitation is formally addressed to them. One of the lawmakers, Isaiah Opuende, representing Akuku-Toru Constituency 2, criticized the governor’s approach, saying it was inappropriate for Fubara to summon them via social media after previously telling them to “dey their dey.”
Opuende stated, “It is time for us to determine our dey. When the ‘dey your dey’ started, our principal said the time for our own ‘dey your dey’ will come. Now, our ‘dey your dey’ has come. Dey your dey make we dey our dey. How can you wire a letter and post it on social media and expect us to honour it? You know we are not kids. The governor should properly write to the Assembly. That’s all. Thank you.”
Adding to the drama, a video surfaced online showing former local government chairmen mocking the governor over his invitation. Among them was the former chairman of Ikwerre Local Government, Dr. Samuel Nwanosike, who, along with others, sang and danced while repeating, “Dey your dey, make I dey my dey, dey your dey, nobody worry Amaewhule.”
The dispute comes amid heightened political tensions following a Supreme Court ruling that upheld the legitimacy of the pro-Wike lawmakers. After the ruling, the lawmakers resumed legislative activities and demanded that Fubara present the 2025 budget and submit commissioner nominees for approval. They also summoned the chairman and commissioners of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to appear before them on Monday, March 10.
However, the state government did not comply with these demands, stating that it was awaiting the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the Supreme Court judgment before taking any action. The CTC was eventually released on Thursday, March 7, and widely published the following day.
In an effort to mend fences, the SSG, Dr. Danagogo, wrote a letter to Speaker Amaewhule on Sunday, March 9, formally inviting the lawmakers to the meeting. He explained that the meeting was necessary following the governor’s receipt of the Supreme Court judgment. The agenda included discussions on the provision of an official meeting space for the Assembly, payment of outstanding allowances, and budget presentation.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has welcomed the governor’s move. The party’s state Publicity Secretary, Chibuike Ikenga, expressed hope that the meeting would help resolve the ongoing crisis between the executive and legislative arms of government.
Ikenga stated, “Our position as a party is to the effect that whatever will bring lasting peace to Rivers State is what we support. And the two sides, the executive and the legislature, should make all these overtures to engender confidence building, which of course will lead to a final resolution of this crisis.”
The Chief of Staff to the Beke-led APC, Chizi Entire, also described the development as a win-win situation, commending the governor for taking steps to implement the Supreme Court ruling.
