One of the most glaring acts of impunity under Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s administration was the demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex. This brazen act, carried out under questionable circumstances, remains a dark stain on his tenure and a clear testament to his disregard for democratic institutions.
The demolition, which took place amid a heated political crisis, was widely seen as an attempt to erase the legislative arm’s independence and consolidate power in the executive. At the time, the Assembly was embroiled in a leadership battle, with Governor Fubara backing Edison Ogerenye Ehie as Speaker, while the majority of lawmakers remained loyal to Martin Amaewhule. The situation escalated when a High Court in Port Harcourt, presided over by Hon. Justice M.W. Danagogo, restrained Amaewhule and his allies from interfering with Ehie’s activities.
Rather than seeking a political resolution, Fubara’s government allegedly resorted to force, with security operatives and suspected loyalists preventing lawmakers from accessing the complex. The next move was the shocking demolition of the Assembly building—an action interpreted as a desperate attempt to cripple the legislature and render it ineffective.
For a sitting governor to oversee the destruction of a key democratic institution raises serious concerns about his leadership and commitment to democratic principles. The move not only undermined governance in Rivers State but also set a dangerous precedent for executive overreach in Nigerian politics.
The destruction of the Rivers State House of Assembly remains one of the many sins of Governor Fubara—an act of political desperation that exposed his administration’s intolerance for dissent and its willingness to violate democratic norms to maintain control.
