The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has stated that Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, cannot visit the State House of Assembly Quarters without an official invitation, particularly after its demolition in December 2023.
Wike made this assertion during a media chat on Wednesday in Abuja, emphasizing that Fubara should have awaited approval from the Martins Amaewhule-led Assembly before attempting to visit.
Fubara was reportedly denied entry into the quarters on Wednesday when he arrived to re-present the 2025 budget, as directed by the Assembly. His visit followed the Supreme Court’s ruling on February 28, 2025, which affirmed Amaewhule as the Speaker of the House.
Amaewhule, along with over 20 lawmakers, is known to be aligned with Wike.
Speaking to reporters at the quarters, Fubara maintained that he had informed Amaewhule of his planned visit. The Rivers State Government also released a letter notifying the Assembly of the governor’s intended appearance.
“If you write a letter to the Assembly, shouldn’t you wait for a response? He is playing to the gallery, bringing television crews to make a show of it. You know it’s wrong. Can the President just walk into the National Assembly unannounced? Who does that?” Wike questioned.
“He demolished the Assembly Complex, so the lawmakers now convene in their quarters. If the governor plans to visit, they have families who need to prepare for his arrival. You can’t just show up and force the gates open and say: ‘I’m coming to present the budget.’ That’s nonsense, absolute rubbish, Who does that? Playing to the gallery. Nobody will accept that,” he added.