A fresh crisis is brewing between the Rivers State House of Assembly and Governor Siminalayi Fubara as lawmakers criticised the state government for allegedly abandoning public schools, despite that the state’s Sole Administrator, Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), left over N600bn in state accounts on his exit in September.
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Fubara, however, reflected on the political crisis that rocked Rivers State, noting that he experienced peace only after the six-month emergency rule declared by President Bola Tinubu was lifted.
Six months after assuming office in 2023, a disagreement between Fubara and his predecessor and political godfather, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, escalated into a major political crisis.
The impasse led to the emergence of two Speakers in the House of Assembly Martin Amaewhule, loyal to Wike, and Edison Ehie, loyal to Fubara following the bombing of the Assembly complex amid rumours of an impeachment plot against the governor.
As the crisis peaked in March 2025, President Tinubu declared a six-month emergency rule, suspending both the governor and lawmakers and appointing Ibas as Sole Administrator.
The emergency rule ended on September 18, 2025, after which both the governor and the Assembly resumed duties, pledging to work together.
Last week, Fubara inspected the under-construction Assembly complex, expressing delight that it would be ready this month for the presentation of the 2026 budget.
However, on Monday, lawmakers criticised his administration for paying “lip service” to the deteriorating infrastructure in public schools.
The House Committee Chairman on Education, Igwe Aforji, had visited Township School 1 and 2 along Moscow Road, Port Harcourt, describing the facilities as deplorable.
Speaker Amaewhule said students are learning under terrible conditions and teachers are overstretched.
“As of yesterday the House committee chairman on education found out that one teacher is teaching two classes Primary 1 and 2 in one classroom. So the teacher will teach Primary 1 a little while Primary 2 is listening to Primary 1 class. Then Primary 1 will stop listening while the teacher teaches Primary 2. Maybe they are blocking their ears, and they are in the same classroom,” he said.
He also highlighted the lack of basic amenities, noting that one school near the government house and the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company headquarters had no power, toilets, or security.
“Vandals have taken over the school. They destroy the little facilities they have there. The Rivers State Executive Council has not done anything,” he said.
Amaewhule lamented that although the immediate past administrator, Ibas, left over N600bn in state accounts, public schools remain in a “shameful state.” He warned,
“We cannot continue to fold our arms while our children continue to suffer, while teachers continue to cry. How will anyone believe that in the year 2025 in a state like Rivers, one teacher will be teaching two classrooms under one roof?
“No toilet, no electricity, yet that school is sharing a fence with the PHED headquarters. Vandals have taken over the school… It is an abomination, it is an aberration and it is unacceptable.”
Meanwhile, Governor Fubara, in a veiled response, said improving education is a priority and announced that the sector will receive the largest allocation in the 2026 budget.
He acknowledged the poor state of schools but stressed that the decay predates his administration and was used by opponents during the 2023 campaigns.
“You all are aware of the deplorable state of our schools. They didn’t get that way in one month or one year. If you remember, one of the things they used in abusing me when I was campaigning was, ‘What are you doing? You say you want to continue. There are no teachers in Etche, Gokana and other parts of the state,’” he said.
Fubara also reflected on the political crisis, saying it slowed progress.
“If you want to be truthful to yourself, if at all we have had peace, I can say I had peace only after we came back from emergency. Tell me, had there been any month before that unfortunate incident that we had one week of rest?”
He assured that his team was working strategically to reverse the decline in education, citing his background in public administration as guiding his approach to planning and reform.
On healthcare, he pointed to ongoing upgrades of zonal hospitals and interventions in workers’ welfare.
Regarding employment, Fubara said the government remains committed to creating jobs, including the anticipated 10,000 openings, but stressed that recruitment would be based on the state’s needs and would not be politicised.
Monday’s meeting, which was the 3rd and 4th combined quarterly session of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers for the year, also saw the governor commend traditional rulers for helping maintain peace during the political impasse.
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