Wike, Fubara
By Our Reporter
The crisis rocking Rivers State which is as a result of the imbroglio between the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike and the Rivers State Governor, Siminialayi Fubara has deepened as the House of Assembly, on Monday, overrode the assent of the governor to pass the Rivers State Public Procurement (Amendment)Bill 2024 into law.
The house took the decision to pass the bill into law at its 173rd legislative sitting
This was contained in a statement titled- ‘Rivers Assembly Overides Governor Fubara’s Assent, Passes Public Procurement (Amendment) Bill into Law’ with a sub-title ‘ Gives Electricity Market Bill, Local Government (Consolidation) Bill First Reading’
The statement was issued by the media aide to the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Martins Wachukwu, and sent to newsmen in Port Harcourt on Monday.
The statement recalled that the House had passed the procurement bill on March 26, 2024 and transmitted same to the governor for assent, which was declined.
The statement added, “The Speaker, Martin Chike Amaewhule, reiterated the essence of the bill, which is to secure taxpayers money and to ensure that taxpayers money are not spent on frivolities and twisted contracts.”
The statement added that the speaker bemoaned a situation where due process is relegated to the background, and contracts awarded without legal backing.
He added that despite all the malfeasance, the House will continue to uphold the laws of Rivers State and the 1999 Constitution, stressing that if the governor continues to breach the laws of the state, the House will at the appropriate time take more stringent measures.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, on Monday, criticised the attitude of the members of the Rivers State House of Assembly towards his administration, saying the members will cease to exist as legislators if he so decides.
He said the lawmakers are existing based on his recognition predicated on the Peace Accord initiated by President Bola Tinubu.
Governor Fubara stated this while addressing a delegation of political and traditional leaders from Bayelsa State who visited him at the Government House in Port Harcourt, the state capital, to seek and end to the political crisis in Rivers State and an improved relationship between both states.
