Supporters of the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, converged across the state’s 23 Local Government Areas on Easter Monday to hold prayer and praise sessions, demanding his reinstatement and divine intervention in the political crisis rocking the state.
Gathering under the banner of the ‘Simplified Movement’, the events—dominated by women—were marked by songs, dancing, and fervent prayers. Participants said the prayer rallies were meant to align the spirit of Easter with the call for justice and restoration.
In Ahoada East Local Government Area, one of the group leaders, Stephen Ihua-Maduenyi, highlighted the symbolic timing of the exercise with the Christian celebration of resurrection.
“Our Lord Jesus Christ resurrected, and we are here to celebrate that and call on Him to do the same for our Governor. We believe President Tinubu is a democrat and will act in Rivers State’s best interest,” Ihua-Maduenyi said.
Adding to the symbolism, the suspended Commissioner for Education, Dr. Ovy Chukwuma, likened the situation in Rivers State to a resurrection story, drawing loud applause from attendees.
“They tried to bury us in Rivers State, but we are alive. Rivers State is alive, and Rivers State is with Governor Siminalayi Fubara,” he declared.
Supporters at the gatherings reaffirmed their confidence in President Bola Tinubu’s ability to resolve the political crisis in the state, expressing optimism that Fubara would soon be restored to office and peace re-established across Rivers.
Meanwhile, the controversy surrounding the state’s political crisis took a new turn as Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, responded strongly to recent comments made by human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN).
Falana, in a televised interview, had argued that the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Rivers Assembly dispute did not address the legitimacy of the current Speaker or resolve the issue of the 27 defected lawmakers.
Olayinka, however, described Falana’s interpretation as both “misleading and inaccurate”. In a statement issued in Abuja on Monday, he insisted that it was precisely the Supreme Court’s ruling that enabled Justice Emmanuel Obile of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt to dismiss a suit filed by the Labour Party challenging the legitimacy of the defected lawmakers.
“But Falana went on television to misrepresent the ruling by claiming the Supreme Court didn’t address the defection. That’s simply not true,” Olayinka stated.
He also disagreed with Falana’s suggestion that three lawmakers could constitutionally carry out legislative functions, pointing to Section 96(1) of the 1999 Constitution which mandates a one-third quorum for any legislative activity.
Olayinka further criticised Falana’s comments about Wike’s recent elevation to the Body of Benchers, particularly the claim that only lawyers with courtroom advocacy experience should qualify for Life Bencher status. He dismissed Falana’s arguments as “funny and ridiculous”.
“In Falana’s mind, if you haven’t handled cases in court, you’re not a lawyer. By that logic, how did he himself become SAN?” Olayinka asked.
He maintained that Wike earned his place in the Body of Benchers through tangible contributions to legal education and infrastructure in Nigeria.
“As Governor of Rivers State, Wike was instrumental in establishing and developing the Nigerian Law School campus in Port Harcourt, now regarded as the best centre for legal education in the country. He also developed facilities at the Yenagoa campus—including a 1,500-capacity hall and 200-bed hostels for both male and female students,” Olayinka said.
He added that in his current role as FCT Minister, Wike is constructing a 10-unit residential quarters for the Nigerian Law School in Bwari, Abuja, and has provided operational vehicles to aid its work.
“Now, the question is: what has Falana done for the legal profession?” he asked. “Even in his home state of Ekiti, there’s no known legacy. The Bar Centre in Ado-Ekiti was built by Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), and the one in Ikere-Ekiti by Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN). Aare Afe Babalola has been sponsoring NBA annual lectures and providing medical assistance to lawyers through his teaching hospital. What has Falana done? Nothing.”
Olayinka also ridiculed Falana’s unsuccessful entry into politics, pointing to his failed gubernatorial bid in Ekiti State.
“He failed woefully when he tried politics. Even his SAN title came long after his peers had received theirs,” he said.
