The political turmoil in Rivers State has taken another dramatic turn as a lawyer, Kenneth Amadi, has formally petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to initiate recall proceedings against the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule.
Amadi, in a letter dated March 7, 2025, addressed to the Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC in Rivers State, cited multiple allegations against Amaewhule, including defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), failure to provide effective representation, and repeated violations of court orders.
The petition follows a prolonged leadership crisis in Rivers State, stemming from the fallout between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The rift led to a division within the Rivers Assembly, with lawmakers aligning with either Fubara or Wike.
Amaewhule and 26 other pro-Wike lawmakers were declared to have lost their seats by the Fubara-backed faction of the Assembly after their defection to the APC. In response, Fubara worked with the three-member faction led by Victor Oko-Jumbo, who endorsed the state budget and confirmed commissioner nominees.
However, the Supreme Court, in a ruling on February 28, 2025, reinstated Amaewhule and the 26 lawmakers, directing them to resume legislative duties. The court also ordered Fubara to re-present the 2025 budget before the Amaewhule-led Assembly.
Recall Proceedings Initiated Against Amaewhule
A document obtained by The Bureau Newspaper on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, confirmed that Amadi had officially begun steps toward recalling Amaewhule. The petition, submitted on behalf of constituents in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, requested INEC to release the verified voter register for the constituency as part of the preliminary steps for the recall process.
According to the petition, the move is backed by constitutional provisions that allow constituents to recall a lawmaker if more than 50% of registered voters sign a petition citing loss of confidence.
Amadi outlined several reasons for the recall attempt, including:
- Amaewhule’s defection from PDP to APC in December 2023.
- His alleged focus on personal and political interests rather than the welfare of his constituents.
- Involvement in what was described as “undemocratic and illegal impeachment activities” since 2013.
- Disobedience to the Supreme Court ruling of February 28, 2025.
- Alleged illegal amendments to state laws to extend the tenure of local government chairmen.
- Failure to fulfill campaign promises, including the establishment of agriculture and aquaculture farms for youths in Obio/Akpor.
Amadi warned that if INEC failed to provide the requested certified true copy of the voter register within seven days, legal action would be taken to enforce the constituents’ rights.
Political Tension Escalates as Fubara Denied Access to Assembly Quarters
The political crisis in Rivers State intensified further on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, as Governor Fubara was prevented from accessing the Assembly quarters to present the 2025 budget, as directed by the Supreme Court.
Despite notifying the lawmakers in a letter dated March 11, 2025, Fubara and his entourage arrived at the Assembly quarters only to find the gates locked. The governor was forced to leave without presenting the budget, deepening the standoff between the executive and legislative arms of the state.
Reacting to the development, Fubara accused Amaewhule of deliberately avoiding him. “I called the Speaker several times, but he refused to answer,” the governor lamented.
Meanwhile, Amadi also accused Amaewhule of using legislative powers to target the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), rather than focusing on governance. He claimed that since their reinstatement, Amaewhule and his allies have issued threats against RSIEC officials and even secured a bench warrant for their arrest, despite a court injunction restraining them from taking such actions.