Falana Explains Supreme Court Verdict On Rivers Assembly Dispute

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has explained that the Supreme Court’s ruling on the appeal by Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara against the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly does not determine the legitimate Speaker of the House.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, February 10, 2025, Falana stated that the court did not rule on the leadership of the Assembly but dismissed the appeal based on its withdrawal by the governor’s legal team.

“When an appeal is dismissed not on merit but on the basis of withdrawal by the appellant, the question of celebration doesn’t arise,” Falana said.

He added that Fubara withdrew the appeal because the issue—related to the 2024 budget—was no longer relevant, as the budget had already been passed into law.

The Supreme Court’s five-man panel, led by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji, dismissed the appeal after Fubara’s counsel, Yusuf Ali, withdrew the case.

The Rivers Assembly crisis began in 2023 when 27 lawmakers loyal to former governor Nyesom Wike defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), leading to a division in the House.

While Amaewhule led one faction, a rival group of three lawmakers, led by Victor Oko-Jumbo, aligned with Fubara.

Falana emphasized that, legally, three lawmakers can conduct legislative functions except in impeachment matters.

He also argued that the 27 lawmakers who defected lost their seats, as their positions had been declared vacant.