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In a fresh twist, the Court of Appeal in Abuja has ruled in favour of Martins Amaewhule as the legitimate Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, sparking celebration within the political camp of Nyesom Wike, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister and influential Rivers politician.
The court's decision, which declared Amaewhule's Assembly faction as the rightful body to pass the 2024 budget, has prompted Governor Siminalayi Fubara to challenge the ruling at the Supreme Court.
Governor Fubara expressed strong disagreement with the judgment, highlighting his administration's commitment to seek redress.
"The Court of Appeal may have ruled on an issue that was not properly before it," stated Danagogo Iboroma, Rivers State's Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, who signed the statement confirming the governor's intention to appeal.
The Court of Appeal's decision dismisses the governor's appeal and reaffirms the lower court's ruling that Amaewhule's faction constitutes the valid Assembly leadership.
READ ALSO: A joke taken too far - Appeal Court scolds Fubara over Assembly feud, voids budget
It further censured the Fubara administration, asserting that budget expenditures made without the approval of Amaewhule's Assembly are "illegal."
The court also imposed a fine of ₦500,000 on Governor Fubara for what it described as a "blatant disregard for court orders."
The court did not hold back in its criticism, noting, "The Governor of Rivers State has the passion to disobey court orders, which is unbecoming of someone with good culture."
This firm stance against Fubara's actions has heightened tensions as his administration scrambles to file a stay of execution on the ruling.
READ ALSO: Wike opens up on Fubara's sins, gives condition to end Rivers crisis
Amid the political turmoil, the governor appealed for calm, urging Rivers residents to dismiss what he described as "fake news" intended to mislead the public.
"His Excellency, the Governor of Rivers State, urges the good people of Rivers State to ignore the purveyors of fake news," emphasised the Attorney-General's statement.
The ongoing legal battle, now poised for the Supreme Court, underscores the deepening rift between Governor Fubara and key political forces within the state.