In opposition to Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s efforts to pass the Rivers State House of Assembly, RSHA, Service Commission Law, the Rivers State House of Assembly resolved on Friday.
After calling an extraordinary session, the House ruled against Fubara.
Fubara’s assent to laws will be overridden by state lawmakers for the second time.
Four bills that had been enacted previously and forwarded to Fuabara for assent were rejected by the House in January.
The House, in its 99th legislative session at the Assembly chamber, chose to override the Governor’s consent.
This was said in a statement provided to journalists by Martins Wachukwu, the Speaker of the State Assembly’s media assistant.
According to the statement, the legislators made their decision after the Governor, in letters to the House that were read aloud, declined to sign the four bills, citing concerns that the changes would be confusing and violate the constitution.
Speaking about the Rivers State House of Assembly Fund Management Bill, which was reintroduced by Major Jack, the Majority Leader, and discussed by the members, Speaker Martin Amaewhule referred to the amended Section 100(5) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 Constitution, which gives the House the authority to overrule the Governor in cases where the Governor declines to give his consent.
Similarly, the bills to amend the Rivers State Local Government Law, amend the Rivers State Traditional Rulers’ Law, and repeal the Rivers State Advertising and Use of State-owned Property Prohibition were all introduced, discussed, and approved unanimously, overriding the governor’s dissent.
