The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has asked Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State to ignore any purported ultimatum issued by the Martin Amaewhule-led faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
According to the association any House of Assembly sitting held from residential quarters was unknown to law, hence illegal, null and void, and of no effect whatsoever.
HURIWA said this while reacting to the resolution of the Amaewhule-led faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly which issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Governor Fubara to present the 2025 appropriation bill.
In a statement by its leader Comrade Emma Onwubiko, the human rights writers said every legislative House is bound by law to conduct its business – plenary within the chambers and it was curious that the faction whose status as lawmakers is a subject of litigation gather somewhere outside the State Assembly Chambers purportedly to issue an order to the governor.
They described the development as unacceptable, illegal and desecration of the institution of legislature; the Constitution and democratic setting, stressing that in saner climes, security operatives would have gone after Amaewhule and his conspirator for the crime they have committed.
“Today, another attempt to murder democracy and institution of legislature took place in Rivers State to our consternation and of many Nigerians as well as the international community interested in advancement of democratic ideals.
“This was as the Martin Amaewhule-led faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly sat in a residential quarters to purportedly conduct the business of the state legislature, the practice which is alien to the law and governance procedure anywhere in the road.
“At the end of that drama, these persons who ceased to be members of the Assembly almost two years ago summoned the effrontery to issue a 48-hour ultimatum to Governor Fubara to present the 2025 appropriation bill. This is indeed bizarre and a such condemnable!
“We therefore urged Governor Siminalayi Fubara to ignore any purported ultimatum issued by the Martin Amaewhule-led faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly. It was first an illegal gathering which warrant the arrest of the participants by security operatives.”
