Rivers State House of Assembly Overrides Governor Fubara, Passes Local Government Bill into Law

In a notable move, the Rivers State House of Assembly on Monday exercised its constitutional power to override the governor’s assent, passing the Rivers State Local Government (Amendment) Bill into law during its 159th Legislative sitting. This action followed Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s initial decision to decline assent to the bill, which the House had originally passed on March 13, 2024.

The override was carried out under the authority of Section 100(5) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which grants state legislatures the ability to override a governor’s veto with a two-thirds majority vote. The bill was reintroduced by the Majority Leader, Hon. Major Jack, and following a lively debate, the House achieved the required majority to pass the bill into law, defying the governor’s earlier veto.

In another development, the House screened and confirmed nominations for key positions within the Assembly Service Commission. Those confirmed were Barr. Sampson Worlu as Chairman, along with Hon. Abinye Blessing Pepple, Mrs. Blessing Belema Derefaka, Mr. Gbaranen Robinson, and Madam Dorcas Amos as members.

The screening and confirmation process follows the House’s previous passage of the Rivers State Assembly Service Commission (Amendment) Bill into law on March 22, 2024. This earlier bill granted the House the authority to appoint the Chairman and members of the Assembly Service Commission, underscoring the Assembly’s role in shaping its internal governance.