In Rivers State, tensions have escalated within the State House of Assembly, leading to parallel sittings by two factions of lawmakers. On one front, legislators aligned with Governor Siminalayi Fubara, under the leadership of Victor Oko-Jumbo, convened at the Government House in Port Harcourt. Their agenda included the screening and confirmation of Emmanuel Frank-Fubara as a new commissioner-nominee.

Meanwhile, another group of lawmakers, led by Martin Amaewhule and loyal to Minister Nyesom Wike, held their session at the State Assembly quarters along Aba Road. This division highlights deep-seated political rivalries and conflicting loyalties within the state’s legislative body.

The current situation follows a significant legal development: a Court of Appeal ruling that nullified the Rivers State high court’s jurisdiction to decide the status of pro-Wike lawmakers. This judicial decision has further intensified the standoff, raising questions about governance stability and legislative authority in Rivers State.