In the midst of the escalating conflict between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Minister Nyesom Wike in Rivers State, the House of Representatives has announced its decision not to intervene in the ongoing dispute within the state’s House of Assembly. The clash has sparked a power struggle in the oil-rich region, leading to significant political turmoil.
The crisis reached a new level when 27 lawmakers, allegedly aligned with Wike, defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Subsequently, Governor Fubara made a controversial move by ordering the demolition of the state assembly complex. The tension has further intensified with several commissioners tendering their resignations from Fubara’s cabinet.
Given the volatile situation in Rivers State, there have been suggestions of possible intervention by the National Assembly to restore order. According to Section 11 (4) and (5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the National Assembly can make laws for the peace, order, and good government of a state when the state’s House of Assembly is unable to perform its functions due to prevailing circumstances.
Section 11 (4) states, “At any time when any House of Assembly of a state is unable to perform its functions because of the situation prevailing in that state, the National Assembly may make such laws for the peace, order and good government of that state concerning matters on which a House of Assembly may make laws as may appear.”
Section 11 (5) further clarifies, “For the purposes of subsection (4) of this section, a House of Assembly shall not be deemed to be unable to perform its functions as long as the House of Assembly can hold a meeting and transact business.”
However, the deputy spokesman of the House of Representatives, Phillip Agbese, revealed in an interview with Punch that the issue has not been formally presented to the Green Chamber. As a result, there can be little or no intervention until the matter is officially brought before the House.
Agbese emphasized that the 10th House of Representatives has not been notified of any crisis in Rivers State. Without formal awareness of the situation, the House is unable to take any action to intervene in the ongoing political turbulence. Nevertheless, Agbese expressed the hope that the matter would be resolved amicably, allowing the elected lawmakers in Rivers State to fulfill their duties to the people.
