Fubara Under Fire Over Relocation of Rivers Assembly: “Recognise Legislative Powers, Limitations”

• The political crisis rocking Rivers state is far from over, as new developments have unfolded in recent days
• The relocation of the Rivers Assembly has further widened the rift between Governor Sim Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike
• Femi Falana has, however, tutored Governor Fubara as he reacted differently to the change of the sitting venue of the Rivers Assembly lawmakers

Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.

A human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has reacted to the relocation of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Recall that Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers state on Friday, May 10, ordered the state assembly members to meet at the Government House, Port Harcourt.

This was after the governor gazetted Executive Order 001, relocating the state assembly due to the burning of the Hallowed Chamber.

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The state assembly was set ablaze on October 29, 2023, and the gazette ordering its relocation was dated December 14, 2023.

Falana tackles Fubara over his recent actions

But on Sunday, May 12, Falana, reacting to the development, condemned Fubara's directive, noting that the legislature was independent of the executive.

The top Nigerian lawyer made this assertion on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics. Falana explained that since both arms of government were independent, Fubara could not change the sitting venue of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

“I would like to assume that the governor issued that executive order before the intervention of the High Court in Rivers State.

“The house is independent of the executive. So the governor cannot tell the house where to sit. There is a separation of powers under the Constitution and each organ of the government must recognise its own powers and limitations,” he added.

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Rivers elders, leaders storm assembly quarters, send serious warning to Fubara

Have Rivers lawmakers who decamped lost their seats?

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Femi Falana explained that the Nigerian constitution does not allow lawmakers to change political parties while in office.

He asserted that all the 25 legislators in Rivers who switched from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressive Congress have essentially forfeited their position.

Falana was analysing the legal implications of the action of the members of the Rivers House of Assembly.

Proofreading by Nkem Ikeke, journalist and copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng