Rivers Assembly Recalls Three Fubara Loyalists After Wike Meeting
The Rivers State House of Assembly has recalled three lawmakers loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, in a fresh development that could signal progress in efforts to resolve the protracted political crisis in the state.
The lawmakers — Timothy Oruibienimigha, Victor Oko-Jumbo and Sokari Goodboy Sokari — represent Opobo/Nkoro, Bonny and Ahoada West constituencies, respectively.
The decision followed appeals submitted by the lawmakers to the Speaker of the Assembly, Martin Chike Amaewhule, and came days after a closed-door meeting between Fubara, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and their respective political allies in Port Harcourt.
At its 68th Legislative Sitting of the Fourth Session of the Tenth Assembly on Monday, the House rescinded its earlier resolution declaring the lawmakers' seats vacant, paving the way for their return to legislative activities.
Reading their separate letters of appeal, Amaewhule told lawmakers that the trio had expressed remorse over their prolonged absence from legislative sittings. They attributed their failure to resume after their suspension was lifted in December 2023 to an alleged lack of official communication notifying them of the decision.
The Speaker said investigations suggested that the lawmakers might not have received the correspondence informing them that their suspension had been lifted.
He maintained that the law must be guided by justice rather than emotions, as members deliberated on whether to accept the appeals.
Following contributions from lawmakers in support of the appeals, the Speaker put the motion to a vote, and members unanimously backed the decision to rescind the earlier resolution declaring the seats vacant.
The lawmakers were among four members suspended on October 30, 2023, amid the political crisis that engulfed the state and the Assembly. Their suspension was lifted on December 20, 2023, following presidential intervention.
However, the House later moved to declare their seats vacant on October 15, 2024, citing their continued failure to attend legislative sittings and participate in Assembly activities. The Independent National Electoral Commission was subsequently notified to conduct elections to fill the vacancies.
Wike, Fubara Peace Moves Gather Momentum
The lawmakers' recall comes amid renewed reconciliation efforts involving Fubara and Wike, whose political feud plunged Rivers State into months of tension and uncertainty.
The governor's private residence in the GRA Phase 2 area of Port Harcourt has recently hosted meetings involving prominent political figures aligned with both camps, raising hopes of a lasting settlement ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Among those reportedly involved in the reconciliation meetings were former Rivers State Chief of Staff Edison Ehie, former senator George Sekibo, Rainbow Coalition Reconciliation Committee chairman Magnus Abe, Speaker Amaewhule and House of Representatives member Kingsley Chinda.
Former Rivers State Attorney-General Adokiye Amiesimaka and former Peoples Democratic Party chairman in the state, Chukwuemeka Aaron, were also listed among the participants.
A former member of the House of Representatives, Ogbonna Nwuke, said the reconciliation efforts were aimed at restoring peace, cooperation and unity among political stakeholders in the state.
Nwuke described the rapprochement between the governor and the FCT minister as a positive development, stressing that both men remained influential figures whose cooperation could strengthen the peace process.
He said political differences should not prevent members of the same political family from working together for the stability and progress of Rivers State.
The recall of the three lawmakers represents a significant step in the reconciliation process, although the durability of the peace initiative will depend on sustained cooperation among the key political actors.
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