Femi Falana, a human rights lawyer, has stated that Governor Siminalayi Fubara does not have the authority to change the sitting venue of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
In an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Falana explained that the Governor cannot direct the members of the Assembly to meet at the Government House because the legislative arm is independent of the executive arm of the government.
As a senior lawyer, Falana emphasized the importance of upholding the independence of the legislature.
He said, “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,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Presidency has announced that President Bola Tinubu will remain neutral in the ongoing political crisis between the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State. Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Tinubu confirmed this during an interview on TVC.
He stated that anyone who believes President Tinubu will take sides in the political crisis will be disappointed.
According to him, President Tinubu will not permit any attempts to obstruct the Rivers government.
He said, “I believe that anyone who believes that by their actions, whether it’s from the Federal level, State level or the legislative branch in the State or the executive branch in the state;
“…if they are banking on Mr. President to take sides on this matter, they’re mistaking and they’ll be disappointed,” he added.
The President Special Adviser further stated, “Mr. President will not do that. What he will do is to ensure that everybody has what they need in order to work.
“He will also ensure that any attempt to frustrate the operation of the Rivers State Government of conducting its affairs in a way that it would benefit the Rivers people, that’s obviously not going to be allowed by this President or anybody else.
“So, I think there’s a need for all stakeholders to understand that Mr President won’t take sides.”