08
Mar
Mar
RIVERS STATE POLITICAL CRISIS DEEPENS AS COMMISSIONERS, RISIEC CHAIRMAN CHALLENGE ASSEMBLY’S AUTHORITY
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CapitalTimesNews / 1 month
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- 2 min read
The Rivers State political crisis has taken a new turn as the 19 commissioners appointed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and the chairman of the State Independent Electoral Commission (RISIEC), Justice Adolphus Enebeli (rtd), have challenged the authority of the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly. The commissioners, whose appointments were cleared by four supporters of the governor in the assembly, are seeking a court order to restrain the lawmakers from declaring their appointments illegal. They are also praying for an order of interlocutory injunction to restrain the lawmakers from interfering with their duties and responsibilities as commissioners. Similarly, Justice Enebeli and his commissioners are challenging the assembly’s right to summon them for questioning over the conduct of the October 2024 Local Government Election that was nullified by the Supreme Court. They are seeking an order of interlocutory injunction to restrain the lawmakers from enforcing their invitation and from making further pronouncements or resolutions requiring their appearance. The Supreme Court had last week confirmed Amaewhule as the rightful Speaker of the assembly, dismissing the cross-appeal filed by Governor Fubara challenging the validity of the legislature led by Amaewhule. Justice Frank Onyiri has granted the commissioners and RISIEC chairman leave to serve the defendants through substituted means and adjourned the cases to April 17 for hearing of the motion on notice. The lawmakers had given Enebeli a 48-hour ultimatum to appear before them and explain the circumstances surrounding the conduct of the October 2024 Local Government Election. The ultimatum was later extended by 72 hours. Speaker Amaewhule said the House had taken legislative notice of the refusal of Fubara to present the 2025 Appropriation Bill and to submit the list of his commissioner-nominees to the House. “The House would address it squarely at the appropriate time,” he said. The lawmakers voted in the affirmative, directing the Clerk of the House to again invite Enebeli and his commissioners to appear before them on Monday, March 10.
