by Olawale Williams
In a landmark decision for Rivers State politics, the Supreme Court on Monday dismissed Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s suit aimed at unseating 27 pro-Wike lawmakers from the State House of Assembly. The suit, which accused the legislators of defecting from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), was thrown out after Fubara’s lead counsel, Yusuf Ali (SAN), unexpectedly withdrew the appeal. “Events have overtaken the matter,” Ali explained, adding that the lawmakers were “our friends,” a comment that hinted at the possibility of reconciliation.
Representing the lawmakers and Assembly Speaker Martin Amaewhule, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) welcomed the withdrawal and pressed the court to dismiss the suit outright. “Both parties have already filed and exchanged their legal briefs. There is no longer any contention that needs adjudication,” Olanipekun noted. The three-judge panel, headed by Justice Musa Uwani-Aba-Aji, concurred, ultimately dismissing the suit and ordering Governor Fubara to pay N4 million in legal costs to the Assembly.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Ken Njemanze, addressed the media following the ruling, asserting that the decision “clears the path” for the pro-Wike lawmakers to fully reclaim their legislative powers. “All actions taken by Governor Fubara, including the presentation of the 2024 and 2025 budgets to just three lawmakers, are now null and void,” Njemanze stated.
This latest ruling marks another setback for Governor Fubara, whose legal challenges have mounted over recent months. In October 2024, the Court of Appeal dismissed a similar appeal, and in January 2024, the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, nullified the passage of the state’s N800 billion 2024 budget by four lawmakers loyal to Fubara.
Justice Omotosho had harshly criticized the governor’s actions—including the partial demolition of the Assembly complex and the withholding of legislative funds—describing them as tyrannical. He ordered Fubara to re-present the budget to the Assembly and to refrain from interfering with the legislators’ duties.
With this decisive Supreme Court ruling, the balance of power in Rivers State is poised for a dramatic shift, as the pro-Wike faction strengthens its grip on the legislative arm of government. The verdict not only affirms the legal standing of the 27 lawmakers but also further complicates the political landscape for Governor Fubara’s administration.
