Rivers State Political Crisis: Speaker Amaewhule Faces Recall Proceedings

A lawyer, Kenneth Amadi, has petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to initiate the recall process for the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule. This development marks a new phase in the ongoing political turmoil in Rivers State, stemming from the fallout between Governor Sim Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who is now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory....CONTINUE READING>>>

The crisis escalated when lawmakers loyal to Fubara declared the seats of Amaewhule and 26 other pro-Wike legislators vacant after they defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). In response, Fubara collaborated with the Victor Oko-Jumbo-led three-man faction of the Assembly, presenting the state budget to them and obtaining their approval for key government appointments.

However, in a dramatic turn, Amaewhule and the 26 lawmakers later renounced their defection. The Supreme Court, in its ruling on February 28, 2025, directed them to resume legislative duties immediately and ordered Governor Fubara to re-present the 2025 budget before the Assembly under Amaewhule’s leadership.

Following this ruling, a letter obtained by the DAILY POST on March 12, 2025, revealed that constituents have initiated recall proceedings against Amaewhule. The letter, dated March 7, 2025, was addressed to the Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC in Rivers State. It cited legal provisions, including the Freedom of Information Act of 2011, the 1999 Constitution, and the Electoral Act of 2010 (as amended), to justify the recall process.

According to the letter, Amadi, acting as legal counsel to concerned constituents of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, listed several grievances against Amaewhule, including:

• Defecting from the PDP to the APC in December 2023.
• Failing to provide effective representation, prioritizing personal and political interests over those of his constituents.
• Engaging in repeated undemocratic and illegal impeachment activities since 2013.
• Disobeying the Supreme Court’s ruling of February 28, 2025, which directed all parties to await the final legal determination of his status.
• Amending state laws to extend the tenure of local government chairmen and appoint Assembly Service Commission members without due process.
• Failing to fulfill campaign promises, such as building agricultural and aquaculture farms for youth employment.
• Neglecting to establish and adhere to a legislative agenda.

The letter further warned that legal action would be taken if INEC did not provide the requested certified voter register within seven days.

Amadi also accused Amaewhule of persistently violating court orders since being reinstated as Speaker. He claimed that legislative activities had effectively stalled, with Amaewhule and his colleagues focusing exclusively on actions against the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC). This included issuing ultimatums and a bench warrant against RSIEC officials, despite a court injunction barring such actions.

Meanwhile, the political tension in Rivers State heightened further on March 12, 2025, when Governor Fubara was prevented from entering the Assembly quarters to present the 2025 budget, as directed by the Supreme Court. Despite sending a formal notification to Amaewhule on March 11, the Assembly gates remained locked when Fubara and his officials arrived. Consequently, the governor was unable to present the budget, exacerbating the already tense political standoff.

Reacting to the incident, Governor Fubara accused Amaewhule of intentionally avoiding him, stating that multiple calls to the Speaker went unanswered.