The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have described as a welcomed development, the invitation to a meeting, extended to the Rivers State House of Assembly by governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The development was hailed by the Chief Tony Okocha-led APCand the Emeka Beke-led faction, loyal to former Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi.
The Okocha faction, loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, described Fubara’s invitation to the Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly, as a welcome development.
The Rivers State House of Assembly was invited to a meeting with the governor at Government House on Monday (today).
The meeting, scheduled for 10 a.m., was expected to address key issues such as providing sitting space for the Assembly, paying outstanding allowances, and presenting the 2025 budget.
However, 27 lawmakers of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to the former governor, Nyesom Wike, may, however, reject the invitation except the governor uses the “proper” channel to invite them to the meeting.
One of the lawmakers, Isaiah Opuende who represents Akuku-Toru Constituency 2, criticized the governor for inviting the Assembly members via social media.
Opuende called on the governor to communicate with them appropriately, adding that it was surprising that Fubara would call them after he had told them at several fora to “dey their dey.”
He stated, “It is time for us to determine our day. When the ‘day of your day’ started, our principal said the time for our own ‘day of your day’ will come. Now, our ‘day is your day’ has come.
“Dey your dey make we dey our dey. How can you write a letter and post it on social media and expect us to honor it? You know we are not kids. The governor should properly write to the Assembly. That’s all. Thank you.”
However, the state Publicity Secretary of the APC, Chibuike Ikenga, in a statement on Sunday, expressed the hope that the invitation would lead to a resolution of the crisis between the two arms of government in the state.
He stated, “Our position as a party is to the effect that whatever will bring lasting peace to Rivers State is what we support.
“And the two sides, the executive and the legislature, should make all these overtures to engender confidence building which of course will lead to a final resolution of this crisis.
“The Supreme Court had already put a nail on it, but interpersonal relationships between the leaders of the two arms of government are encouraged. There are overtures expected from the two sides which have quarrelled for close to two years.
“That the Rivers State House of Assembly had written letters to the governor and the governor has also responded and the governor has written, inviting them as part of the follow-up of the earlier letter, we welcome all these processes and procedures that will lead to final resolution.”
In the same vein, the Chief of Staff to the Beke-led APC, Chizi Entire, described the development as a win-win situation.
He applauded the governor for keeping to his promise of implementing the Supreme Court judgment.
“The letter written by the governor to the Assembly shows that he is a man who believes in the rule of law and who can also maintain his stand and do what he says. This is the first move to ensure orderliness in the state. The governor sees that the people matter and not him.
“So making peace with the lawmakers is the best thing he can achieve for now. When it is achieved, I think the state will move forward.
“The Supreme Court has recognized the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly, and the governor does not have any option but to obey the judgment of the Supreme Court.
“It is a win-win. Nobody is a loser and nobody is a winner,” he said.
