The Rivers State House of Assembly witnessed a dramatic turn of events on Friday as the majority of lawmakers passed a new law, the Rivers State House of Assembly Service Commission Amendment Law, without the assent of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
During an emergency plenary session attended by 24 out of the 27 lawmakers aligned with Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, the House Majority Leader, Hon Major Jack, highlighted that the Governor had not assented to the amendment law within the stipulated 30-day period since its submission on February 19, 2024.
Citing Section 100 (4) of the Constitution, which mandates the Governor to signify assent or withholding of assent within 30 days of receiving a bill, Jack brought attention to the elapsed timeframe.
Subsequently, Speaker Martin Amaewhule initiated a debate, leading to a vote invoking Section 100 (5) to override the Governor’s assent. With 24 members voting in favor and none against or abstaining, the constitutional threshold for overriding the Governor’s assent was met.
Speaker Amaewhule declared the passage of the Rivers State House of Assembly Service Commission Amendment Law, emphasizing that the Governor’s assent was no longer required for it to become law in the state.
This marks the second instance of the Pro-Wike lawmakers overriding the Governor, following a similar action in January when four laws were enacted despite the Governor’s refusal to assent.