The Rivers State House of Assembly has accused Governor Siminalayi Fubara of creating an illegal agency.
The agency in question is the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency, recently constituted by the governor.
The Assembly claims the agency’s creation is unlawful due to the lack of an enabling law or communication to the House.
Speaker Martin Amaewhule led the lawmakers in making their position known through a statement by his media aide, Martins Wachukwu.
The statement followed the Assembly’s 41st sitting at their official quarters in Port Harcourt.
The House Committee on Commerce and Industry presented a report on the “purported” inauguration of the agency’s Board by Governor Fubara.
The committee noted that while the agency could attract businesses, its establishment without legal framework was regrettable.
If a law existed, the nominees would have been subjected to confirmation by the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Lawmakers commented on the report, criticizing the governor for “relegating decency in governance” by appointing individuals to an unbacked agency.
Speaker Amaewhule condemned Fubara’s actions, stating that appointing individuals to an agency without legislation was wrong.
The House voted to condemn the governor’s actions, declaring them illegal and questionable.
The development highlights the ongoing power struggle between the governor and the Assembly, led by Speaker Amaewhule, loyal to Minister Nyesom Wike.
The Speaker put the matter to a vote, and the House voted in the affirmative to condemn the actions of the governor.
The House declared the governor’s actions illegal and questionable, emphasizing that they would not recognize the agency or its appointments.
The development highlights the ongoing power struggle between the governor and the Assembly, led by Speaker Amaewhule, who is loyal to Minister Nyesom Wike.
