Rivers Political Crisis Deepens as Constituents Move to Recall Speaker Amaewhule

Tensions in Rivers State escalated further this week as constituents from the Obio/Akpor State Constituency initiated recall proceedings against the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule. In a formal letter addressed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Port Harcourt-based lawyer Kenneth Amadi, representing several indigenes of Obio/Akpor, requested the certified true copy of the verified voter register as a preliminary step to commence Amaewhule’s recall.

The letter, dated March 7, 2025, and received by INEC on March 11, cites multiple allegations against Amaewhule. These include his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in December 2023, failure to represent constituents’ interests, long-standing involvement in undemocratic activities, disobedience of court orders, and neglect of legislative responsibilities. It further accuses him of amending state laws to usurp executive functions, particularly relating to the tenure of local government chairmen and the appointment of commissioners.

Amadi argued that under sections 69 and 110 of the 1999 Constitution, as well as the Electoral Act, INEC is empowered to conduct a recall process if over 50% of registered voters in a constituency lose confidence in their representative. He warned that if the voter register is not provided within seven days, legal action will be taken.

Since the Supreme Court’s ruling on February 28, 2025, which reinstated Amaewhule and 26 other lawmakers who had previously defected, political instability in Rivers has persisted. The apex court had also directed Governor Sim Fubara to re-present the 2025 budget to the Assembly under Amaewhule’s leadership. However, friction between both parties has blocked progress.

Most recently, on March 12, Fubara was prevented from accessing the Assembly quarters to present the revised budget. Despite formally notifying the Speaker a day earlier, the gates remained locked upon his arrival. Fubara later accused Amaewhule of deliberately avoiding him, stating that multiple calls to the Speaker went unanswered.

Amadi further criticised the Assembly for abandoning core legislative duties since its resumption, focusing solely on battles with the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC). He highlighted recent actions by Amaewhule, including the issuance of ultimatums and bench warrants against RSIEC officials, in defiance of a court injunction that bars such moves.