A former lawmaker in Rivers State, Chidi Lloyd, has criticized Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s leadership style, alleging that he is running a solo government without commissioners or appropriation.
Lloyd made these comments during an interview with Arise News on Friday, highlighting concerns about Fubara’s governance.
This criticism comes amid controversy surrounding a Federal High Court judgment that prevents the Central Bank of Nigeria from disbursing funds to Rivers State.
The Nigeria Labour Congress has vowed to halt all duties if the judgment is not reversed. Lloyd also advocated for legislation to protect judicial officers from disparaging remarks, emphasizing the need to respect the judiciary.
Additionally, Lloyd addressed the alleged defections of certain lawmakers, stating that their actions did not constitute defection.
He clarified that a mere announcement of preference for the All Progressives Congress does not amount to defection under the law.
The situation in Rivers State remains complex, with ongoing tensions between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, and concerns about electoral security and judicial interventions.
The controversy surrounding Fubara’s leadership and the court’s judgment has sparked widespread debate, with many calling for transparency and accountability in governance.
“Nobody has bothered to find out that the governor of Rivers State is running a solo government because, one, he has no commissioners, two, he has no appropriation.
” It’s unfortunate that we have reduced to the situation where people, freely, cast aspersions on the judicial officers.
“I want to plead with the National Assembly to kindly consider a legislation that criminalises aspersions on judicial officers because they must be protected, ” he said.
Speaking on the alleged defections of certain lawmakers, Lloyd asserted that the actions of Martins Amaewhule and his colleagues did not constitute defection, stating, “A mere announcement on the floor of the Rivers State House of Assembly of their preference for the All Progressives Congress (APC) does not amount, in the law, to defection.”
