Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, expressed surprise at Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s decision to withhold his assent to four recently passed bills by the House.
The bills in question cover various areas such as fund management, local government law amendments, traditional rulers’ law amendments, and the prohibition of advertisement and use of state-owned property.
Despite the governor’s concerns about potential confusion and constitutional breaches, the House, during its 99th legislative session, resolved to override the rejection of these bills, citing constitutional provisions.
Amaewhule made these remarks during an advocacy visit by the state’s All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership to the State House of Assembly in Port Harcourt. He emphasized the House’s commitment to upholding the law and strengthening the democratic process in the state.
He said, “There is nothing the 10th assembly has done under my watch that is outside of the law. There is nothing we have done, either in plenary or committee or during oversight that is outside the provisions of the law.”
“We are guided by the law and I’m happy that Rivers people are seeing our determination to do the work for which we were elected.”
Amaewhule however, emphasized the importance of understanding and respecting the principles of separation of powers, urging people to recognize the boundaries of their authority and rights.
