Barely two months after the suspension of emergency rule in Rivers State and the reinstatement of democratic structures, tensions have resurfaced between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and members of the State House of Assembly led by Speaker Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule.

During its 31st Legislative Sitting, the House condemned the vandalisation of property at the Township School in Port Harcourt and other schools across the state. Lawmakers lamented the decayed infrastructure in public primary and secondary schools and accused the executive arm of doing little to address the situation.

Acting on the report of the House Committee on Education, lawmakers questioned what Governor Fubara had done with the more than N600 billion reportedly left in the state’s coffers by the immediate past Sole Administrator, Rear Admiral Ibok Ete-Ibas (rtd), when he exited office in September.

Daily Trust recalls that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had in February 2025 suspended Governor Fubara, his deputy Prof. Ngozi Odu, and the State House of Assembly for six months over a prolonged political crisis that was said to have crippled governance. When democratic structures returned on September 18, 2025, it was claimed that the governor, his predecessor and political benefactor Nyesom Wike, and the Assembly had resolved to work together for the stability of the state.

Speaking during plenary, Speaker Martins Amaewhule accused the Rivers State Government of failing to address the deplorable condition of schools, alleging that available funds were instead spent on sponsoring protests.

“Public schools in Rivers State, particularly at the primary and secondary school levels, are in deplorable conditions; it is a fact,” Amaewhule said. “The reason is abandonment by people who were supposed to do the needful. As of yesterday, the House Committee Chairman on Education discovered a school where one teacher is teaching two classes. There is no toilet, no electricity, yet that school shares a fence with the PHED headquarters.

“That school is directly opposite the police headquarters, yet vandals have taken over and destroyed what little facilities they had. The worst is that despite the concerns we raised when this motion first came up, nothing has happened. The Rivers State Executive Council has done nothing to remedy the situation. It is a sad commentary.”

The Speaker said the state could not continue to operate schools without teachers and recalled that the last administration had initiated a process to employ 10,000 workers before leaving office. “What happened to that plan?” he asked.

“But when it is time for protest, funds will come. When it is time to employ teachers and put them in the classrooms, there will be no money. We cannot fold our arms while our children continue to suffer and our teachers continue to cry,” he added.

Amaewhule questioned why a state with significant financial resources had not moved to address the basic needs of its schools.

“Is it that we don’t have funds? Of course we have. As at the time Administrator Ibas was leaving, he left over N600 billion in the account of Rivers State. Can’t such funds be used to remedy the situation in our schools?” he asked.

He said it was unacceptable for schools near the Government House to be so short-staffed that “pedestrians are called in to help teach pupils.”

“We are the only people mandated by law to fight for our people. This should not happen in Rivers State,” he added.

I won’t employ to please anybody — Fubara

Responding to the accusations, Governor Fubara said his administration would only employ workers based on the genuine needs of the state, not for political satisfaction.

Speaking at the 123rd/124th Combined Quarterly General Meeting of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers on Monday, the governor said the rot in the education sector did not begin under his administration and that steps were being taken to address the challenges.

“Our vision is clear,” he said. “First, it is to ensure that Rivers State is safe. It includes providing quality healthcare services, which we are already delivering. The records are there.”

He listed ongoing work at zonal hospitals in Bori, Ahoada, Omoku and Degema, adding that his administration was focused on completing critical projects.

On education, Governor Fubara said the issues predated his tenure. “You are aware of the poor state of our schools. They never got to that state in one month or one year; it has been an issue,” he said.

He added that political distractions had slowed progress. “Before the unfortunate incident that led to the emergency, was there any month we had one week of rest? But even in the face of crisis, we remained focused.”

Addressing complaints over the halted employment of 10,000 workers, Fubara said his administration would not bow to pressure.

“I will employ, but it must be based on the needs of the state. I won’t engage in political employment to please everybody,” he said.

Assembly endorses Tinubu for second term, pledges loyalty to Wike

Meanwhile, the Rivers State House of Assembly on Wednesday passed a vote of confidence on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, commending him for what it described as purposeful leadership and urging him to run for a second term.

The resolution followed a motion moved by the Leader of the House, Hon. Major Jack, and 25 others.

The lawmakers pledged their “unflinching support and unalloyed loyalty” to the president through the FCT Minister and political leader of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike.

They called on members of the 10th Assembly to begin mobilising constituents across the state for the continuation of the “Renewed Hope Agenda.”

Speaker Amaewhule, in adopting the resolution, described Tinubu as a “father” and called for continued prayers for the president.

Endorsement sparks social media backlash

However, the Rivers Assembly’s endorsement of the president has continued to generate ripples on social media. Paul Ibe, media adviser to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, criticised the lawmakers, saying it was unfortunate that the Assembly had abandoned its core mandate.

“Of all the resolutions unanimously adopted by the Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule-led House, none had any direct bearing on the people of Rivers,” he wrote.

“The resolutions focused on the former governor of Rivers State and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and President Bola Tinubu. The most ridiculous was the one that called on Tinubu to run for 2027 with immediate effect.

“The Amaewhule-led House needs to be reminded that its job is to make laws for the good governance of Rivers and to have oversight over the state executive, while the National Assembly is expected to serve the interest of the generality of Nigerians.

“Meanwhile, the money wasted on the live transmission of the Rivers State House of Assembly sitting—where a vote of confidence in Tinubu and Wike was passed, and another motion urging Tinubu to run (even though they did not indicate whether he should run to Bourdillon or Iragbiji)—could have been better spent on the wellbeing of the people of Rivers.”

“By the way, what’s Wike cooking again? I hope he is not laying the foundation for another state of emergency in Rivers,” he said. (Daily Trust)

Update news