A new chapter of political tension has opened in Rivers State as the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, has accused Governor Siminalayi Fubara of lying to the public about the status of his relationship with lawmakers.

The accusation has reopened long-standing rifts between the executive and the legislature, raising fears of another round of instability in the state.

Amaewhule’s remarks were triggered by recent statements from Governor Fubara, who claimed that he had no issues with the Assembly and was already making arrangements to meet with the lawmakers.

The Speaker dismissed those comments as false and misleading, insisting that the governor had, in fact, met with the legislators on several occasions — including meetings facilitated by the FCT Minister and another hosted at the residence of Ferdinand Alabraba.

He said it was surprising that the governor publicly denied such engagements.

According to Amaewhule, Fubara’s comments were not only untruthful but were capable of reigniting a political crisis that Rivers residents had hoped was already behind them.

He accused the governor of presenting a distorted narrative to justify tensions in the state, warning that such behaviour signals poor leadership and a deliberate attempt to undermine the Assembly.

The Speaker and other lawmakers went further, alleging that the governor had been sidelining the legislature in key decisions. They claimed Fubara had spent funds from the 2024 and 2025 budgets without securing House approval, awarded contracts without legislative oversight, and violated constitutional procedures that guide state spending.

Some lawmakers hinted that preliminary checks suggested billions of naira left in the state’s accounts after emergency rule may have been accessed without due process.

Governor Fubara, however, maintains that there is no rift with the Assembly. He insisted that communication gaps were exaggerated and that he remained committed to working with the lawmakers.

The governor, who recently defected to the APC, also restated his support for President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

This latest exchange comes just months after Rivers State emerged from a severe political crisis that prompted the Federal Government to declare a six-month state of emergency, dissolve the Assembly, and suspend top state officials.

Although governance has since returned to normal operations, the renewed confrontation suggests that the fragile peace in the state is once again under threat.

As political actors position themselves ahead of future elections and shifting alliances, many Rivers residents are watching closely, hoping the renewed tensions do not derail governance or spark another round of instability.