A former Rivers State lawmaker, Samuel Ogeh, and a former Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Ibim Semenitari, have expressed divergent views on Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s invitation to Speaker Martin Amaewhule and his fellow lawmakers.
The invitation follows the Supreme Court’s verdict affirming Amaewhule and his colleagues as legitimate members of the state assembly. Fubara is also expected to present the 2025 budget to them.
Ogeh criticized the move, stating that the governor’s failure to personally sign the invitation letter was disrespectful. “If there is good intention, there is nothing wrong, but people must learn to accept their mistakes.
That letter is not intended to achieve any good result because it smacks of disrespect to the House,” he said during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics.
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However, Semenitari saw the invitation as a step towards resolving the political crisis in Rivers State. “Ultimately, this is about Rivers’ interest, and all of the gladiators are Rivers men and women. I would want to believe that there is no Rivers citizen who does not want peace,” she remarked.
The invitation, signed by Secretary to the State Government Tammy Danagogo, calls for a meeting at the Government House in Port Harcourt on Monday.
This comes after lawmakers issued a 48-hour ultimatum last week for Fubara to present the 2025 budget, following the Supreme Court’s directive for them to resume sitting.