Denying Fubara access to assembly complex an insult to Rivers people, says ex-PANDEF spokesperson

Anabs Sara-Igbe, the former national publicity secretary of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), has criticised the actions of Rivers house of assembly lawmakers against Siminalayi Fubara, governor of the state.

Earlier today, Fubara was prevented from accessing the Rivers house of assembly quarters in Port Harcourt, the state capital, to present the 2025 budget.

When Fubara and his entourage arrived at the entrance of the building, they met the gates locked.

The assembly quarters serve as the chamber for the Martin Amaewhule-led faction of the Rivers assembly, which is loyal to Nyesom Wike, ex-governor of the state.

Meanwhile, Fubara said he had visited the quarters in obedience to the supreme court’s judgment regarding the Rivers political crisis.

Reacting to the development, Sara-Igbe said denying the governor access to the assembly complex was an embarrassment to the residents of the state.

The national chairman of the south-south elders forum appealed for the full implementation of all judgement stipulated by the supreme court.

“The governor was elected by millions of Rivers people. As the chief executive officer of the state, he has unhindered access to all the facilities within the state,” PUNCH quoted Sara-Igbe as saying.

“Blocking him from entering the complex is a direct insult and embarrassment to the people of Rivers state.

“It is now very clear that the governor is ready for peace. But these people are not ready for peace. You can see that by their action.

“How can you bar a sitting governor from gaining access to a facility that belongs to the state?

“I appeal that he implements all the decisions stipulated by the Supreme Court judgment, even though I did not agree with some of those decisions.

“Let him implement them. Rivers people are watching. The world is watching.”

On February 28, the supreme court affirmed the judgment of a federal high court that barred the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the accountant-general of the federation from releasing statutory monthly allocations to Rivers state.

The apex court had ordered the CBN to withhold Rivers’ financial allocation until Fubara presents the state appropriation bill to the Amaewhule-led faction of the assembly.

The supreme court also nullified the local government election held in Rivers state on October 5, 2024.

Fubara had promised to comply with the judgment of the apex court.