Rita Odafe
Governor Sim Fubara
The faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly led by Amaewhule has criticized the recent appointments made by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, particularly regarding the leadership of the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency.
During a session on Thursday, member Gerald Oforji, who represents Oyigbo, reported on the agency’s board inauguration. He highlighted that although the agency has potential to foster business development, there is no existing law from the Assembly that officially creates the agency.
Oforji pointed out that the absence of such legislation means that the appointed members should have undergone a formal confirmation process if the law existed.
In a statement from Martins Wachukwu, the Special Assistant on Media to Amaewhule, the Speaker criticized the Governor for making appointments to a body that lacks legislative backing, calling the move unacceptable.
Amaewhule referenced prior events where Governor Fubara also appointed individuals to the Board of the Bureau for Public Procurement and other roles without following necessary legal procedures.
Moreover, the ongoing conflict between Governor Fubara and Minister Nyesom Wike has deepened divisions within the Assembly. While the faction led by Victor Oko-Jumbo supports the governor, Amaewhule’s faction aligns with Wike.
This discord became prominent following an incident on October 29, 2024, when a part of the state Assembly was destroyed by a fire attributed to an explosion.
