Unfolding story: How Amaewhule, Others, Are Dodging Fubara’s Budget Re-presentation
● What do they really want? Is it peace?
By PHC Telegraph
Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s bid to re-present the Budget to the Amaewhule led House of Assembly has been rebuffed. Fubara who earlier informed the leadership of the House of Assembly of his intention to approach them with the 2025 budget was shocked.
Lawmakers who have shouted over the rooftop and accused Governor Fubara of failing to comply with the Supreme Court judgment securely locked him out when the time came to do so.
Speaking at the venue of the commissioning of the Zonal Hospital in Bori, Fubara said in reaction to what happened in Port Harcourt that the deliberate abuse of power by those who control it will not last forever.
The Governor said the government effort was followed up by personal calls, saying that the effort which was rebuffed was intended to put an end to events that are taking place.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara…calm, cool and calculatedApparently insisting that no price is too much to pay to ensure that Rivers people get the peace that they deserve, he urged Rivers people to be strong and expressed optimism that inspite of what has transpired he was hopeful that the budget would be laid before the House.
Cautioning against the penchant to abuse power, the Governor stated, “Nothing lasts forever. Even the greatest power, one day, it will end.
“What is most important is what we do with the power, and I have chosen, even if I have the power as they claim, and that I don’t know how to use it, I do not intend to abuse my powers.
Many within and outside Rivers State, shocked by the turn of events, are asking questions.
Rufai Oseni, an anchor on Arise TV’s Morning Show asked hours ago on X, “Why lock him out?”
Who indeed is afraid of Fubara re-presenting the budget? Who is afraid of participating in local government elections to come?
Who in Rivers State wants in broad daylight to toss the decision of the Supreme Court out of the window by kicking against its implementation?
These are questions that are making the rounds as Rivers sons and daughters and lovers of democracy across the country chew on unfolding developments.
Rt. Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, one of the leaders of a pro-democracy group populated by opposition lawmakers in the country Wednesday evening addressed the crisis on live television.
He said it was truly absurd that lawmakers who were aware that the Governor was on his way to re-present the budget suddenly took to their heels and locked the gate.
The opposition lawmaker disclosed that all eyes were on Rivers State as Wike and his supporters act in a manner that is likely to provoke law abiding Rivers people.
Ugochinyere commended the Rivers Governor for complying with the dictates of the Supreme Court, saying it was obvious who has been causing all the problem in the State.
The lawmaker accused the FCT Minister of heating up the situation in the oil-rich State and wondered why President Bola Tinubu is unable to call him to order.
Tell Fubara To Comply
The President had told leaders of the Niger Delta Tuesday night that the answer lies in Fubara’s respect for the ruling of the Supreme Court.
The President we heard was in no mood Tuesday night to listen to the leaders of the Niger Delta which included King Alfred Duete-Spiff, first Military Governor of Rivers State and Obong Victor Attah, a one-time Governor of Akwa Ibom State.
It is possible the President may have been satisfied with a one-sided brief that may not have had a holistic picture of what is playing out on ground in Rivers State.
it is possible Fubara’s enemies had created the image of ‘a law breaker who is equally supported by troublesome Ijaws’ who live by the creeks, meaning the President may have made up his mind even before the arrival of the members of the Niger Delta delegation.
What will the President say now that those who should receive a budget are the very ones who are creatively turning themselves into stumbling blocs?
Would he also tell the chief sponsor, Nyesom Wike, who is working as a member of his cabinet to ask his ‘attack dogs’ to behave in public like true Rivers lawmakers?
Some newspapers Wednesday. circulattd reports which suggested President Tinubu may be acting in cohort with his Minister to undermine the peace in Rivers State.
There may be no solid facts to back such speculation in the media. But those who read the body language of others appear to think there might be some truth in all this.
What Does Amaewhule Want?
It is now difficult to understand what Amaewhule wants and what the other lawmakers want now that their seats have been guaranteed by the Supreme Court.
There are reports (not by the Telegraph) which say minor shifts may be taking place among lawmakers, especially after Wike is quoted as saying Ijaws cannot hold the position of Governor in Rivers State.
He is alleged to have said Ijaws, a minority within minorities in Rivers State produced one because of a mere concession. Can this be the reason why the alleged plot to govern the State by proxy was hatched?
No one can tell but many say Wike got furious after Fubara slipped out of his hands and refused to be remotely controlled.
However, what is coming to light suggest that an impeachment move may already be on ground.
That may explain why Amaewhule and others are refusing to receive a budget that they have clamoured for.
Emboldened by what many see as the support of the President Wike bragged during a media chat that Fubara can be impeached and heaven will not fall.
It further means that after occupying Government House for 16 years back to back the Ikwerres who see themselves as a majority group in Rivers are not prepared to relinquish power to other Rivers people who may be seen as minorities within a minority.
There are speculations that Amaewhule who hails from Obio/Akpor, the same local government area with Wike is seemingly being propped up by the same Wike to take over as governor of Rivers State, meaning that the Governor and his Deputy would be forced out of office to achieve that objective.
Could it be that Amaewhule may already be seeing himself as the next governor after the political coup in Rivers State is executed?
Could it also be true that some lawmakers who hitherto worked with Pro-Wike Forces are reconsidering their position? Is it true that some of them are thinking of defecting from the Wike camp as media reports are saying?
Only time will tell.
For now, public sympathy appears to be tilting strongly in favour of Fubara who is determined to obey the orders of the apex court.
The refusal of lawmakers purportedly elected by Rivers people to protect Rivers interests to receive a Rivers
budget as directed by the Supreme Court may become a major talking point in the days to come.
The question remains: who is afraid of a budget representation? Who is frustrating the implication of the orders of the Supreme Court? Is it Wike or Fubara?