Another political Crisis in looming in Rivers State as the State Assembly Speaker, Martins Amaewhule has passed the Local Government Bill into law overriding the Governor, Siminalayi Fubara’s Veto.
POLITICS NIGERIA learned that the house has passed the LG bill and sent it to the Governor for assent on March 13th, 2024 but he declined to approve.
The bill was reintroduced by the Leader of the Amaewhule-led Assembly, Major Jack, (representing Akuku/Toru) constituency 1.
A statement by Martins Wachukwu, an aide to the Speaker, said a two-thirds majority of House members voted to override the Governor and pass the Bill into law.
In a related development, the House also screened and confirmed nominees for the positions of chairman and members of the Assembly Service Commission.
Those screened and confirmed are Sampson Worlu as Chairman with Abinye Pepple, Blessing Derefaka, Gbaranen Robinson and Dorcas Amos as members.
Below is a full official statement from the Rivers State House of Assembly;
“Recall that on the 13th of March, 2024 the House passed the Local Government (Amendment) Bill and forwarded same to Governor Siminialayi Fubara for assent, which the Governor declined.
Determined to perform its Constitutional duties, the Bill was represented by the Majority Leader, Hon. Major Jack and debated upon by Members.”
“Thereafter, the House in accordance with the provisions of Section 100(5) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as altered, which empowers the House to override the Governor, where he withholds his assent; the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule put the question, and with a two-third majority votes the House agreed to override the Governor and passed the Bill into Law.”
“In another development, the House screened and confirmed nominees for the position of Chairman and Members of the Assembly Service Commission. Those screened and confirmed were Barr. Sampson Worlu as Chairman, Hon. Abinye Blessing Pepple, Mrs Blessing Belema Derefaka, Mr.Gbaranen Robinson and Madam Dorcas Amos as Members.”
“Recall that on the 22nd of March, 2024 the House passed the Rivers State Assembly Service Commission(Amendment) Bill into Law, wherein the House donated back to itself the power to appoint the Chairman and Members of the Assembly Service Commission.”
“On a sad note, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Amaewhule announced the demise of Mr. Lucky Amadi, the husband of the honorable Member for Obio/Akpor Constituency II, Hon. Emilia Lucky Amadi, and stated that Members would pay a condolence visit to their Colleague.”
