Rivers Political Reconciliation Effort
The Rivers State House of Assembly has reversed its earlier decision declaring the seats of three lawmakers loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara vacant, in a fresh development amid renewed efforts to resolve the state’s prolonged political crisis.
The decision affects Timothy Oruibienimigha, representing Opobo/Nkoro Constituency; Victor Jumbo, representing Bonny Constituency; and Sokari Goodboy Sokari, representing Ahoada West Constituency.
Mediaplusng.com reports that the lawmakers’ reinstatement followed a reconciliation meeting involving Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, members of the Assembly, the state’s 23 local government chairpersons and Governor Fubara in Port Harcourt.
According to a statement by Martins Wachukwu, media aide to the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, the Assembly reversed its earlier resolution during its 68th legislative sitting of the fourth session of the 10th Assembly.
The decision followed separate letters of appeal submitted by the three lawmakers, who apologised for failing to resume legislative duties after their suspension was lifted in December 2023.
The lawmakers reportedly explained that they had not received official correspondence notifying them that the suspension had been lifted following presidential intervention.
Speaker Amaewhule said investigations indicated that the lawmakers might not have received the relevant notifications.
Members of the Assembly debated the appeals and subsequently voted to rescind the resolution declaring their seats vacant, paving the way for their return to the legislature.
The three lawmakers were among four members suspended on October 30, 2023, during the political crisis that divided the Assembly into factions supporting Mr Wike and Mr Fubara.
The dispute began after Mr Fubara succeeded Mr Wike as governor in 2023, with disagreements over political influence and control of the state’s legislative structures escalating into an institutional confrontation.
In October that year, the Assembly split into rival factions, with 27 lawmakers backing Mr Wike and four supporting the governor.
The dispute later moved through the courts. In July 2024, the Court of Appeal reinstated the 27 lawmakers and recognised Mr Amaewhule as speaker. The Supreme Court ruled in favour of the Amaewhule-led Assembly in February 2025.
Meanwhile, in October 2024, the Assembly had declared the seats of the three lawmakers vacant over their continued absence from legislative sittings and said it had notified the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct by-elections.
The crisis reached another turning point in March 2025, when President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending the governor, his deputy and members of the Assembly for six months. Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas was appointed sole administrator.
The emergency rule ended in September 2025, allowing the elected officials to return to office.
Further reconciliation efforts followed, including the withdrawal of the Assembly’s impeachment move against the governor and his deputy in February 2026.
The latest reversal of the vacancy declaration therefore comes against the backdrop of repeated attempts to restore political stability and cooperation between the executive and legislature.
However, whether the latest rapprochement will endure remains uncertain, given the history of disagreements and earlier peace efforts that failed to produce a lasting settlement.
For Rivers State residents, the key question is whether the renewed understanding will translate into more stable governance, smoother legislative proceedings and sustained attention to public services and development.
