A coalition of opposition lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly has refuted claims that the Supreme Court ruled against Governor Siminalayi Fubara. Contrary to rumors, the lawmakers clarified that no judgment was delivered on Monday against the governor, following the withdrawal of his appeal concerning the 2024 Rivers State Appropriation Bill.
The governor had filed an appeal challenging rulings by two lower courts that had criticized his decision to present the 2024 budget to only four out of the 31 members of the State Assembly. These courts had ruled that Fubara’s action was a violation of the 1999 Constitution.
However, on Monday, Fubara’s lawyer, Yusuf Ali, withdrew the appeal before the Supreme Court. Some had interpreted the withdrawal as a sign that the governor would now comply with the lower courts’ rulings, which many believed affirmed Martin Amaewhule as the legitimate Speaker of the Rivers Assembly.
In a statement, the opposition lawmakers, led by their spokesperson Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, clarified that the situation favored the governor and that Hon. Oko Jumbo remained the legitimate Speaker of the Rivers Assembly.
“Fubara did not lose any case at the Supreme Court,” Ugochinyere stated. “He withdrew his appeal on the 2024 budget, which has already been executed. The budget has expired, and the Supreme Court struck it out.”
Ugochinyere also dismissed any claims that the court’s decision had validated the opposition lawmakers’ position, asserting, “No court has ruled anything in favor of