Tension resurfaced in Rivers State on Monday after the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, berated Governor Siminalayi Fubara for what he described as the “shameful and embarrassing” collapse of public primary and secondary schools across the state.
Amaewhule, who spoke during plenary in a video circulating on Facebook, said the decay in the sector had reached an alarming level, alleging that vandals had taken over school premises while pupils were left without teachers and basic infrastructure.
“It’s a sad commentary that in an oil-rich state like Rivers, pupils are learning without teachers and where one teacher is forced to teach Primary 1 and 2 simultaneously,” he declared.
“Many of our schools have no toilets, no electricity, no security. It is abandonment by people who should be doing the needful.”
The Speaker, believed to be politically aligned with former governor and current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, said he was shocked that the government allegedly ignored several previous warnings from the Assembly.
Amaewhule accused the Fubara administration of prioritising political rallies over education, alleging that while funds were quickly released to mobilise protesters during political disputes, critical areas such as teacher employment and school rehabilitation were left unattended.
“When the last administration was leaving, the plan to employ 10,000 workers was completed. Interviews were held. What has happened?” he queried.
“People are not employed, but when it is time to protest, funds will come. We cannot keep quiet while our children suffer and teachers cry.”
He described the situation as “an abomination”, adding that some schools in Etche were so neglected that weeds had grown on their roofs.
The Speaker further argued that the state could not claim lack of funds, insisting that the former Sole Administrator of the state, Ibok-Ette Ibas, left more than N600 billion in Rivers’ accounts.
“Something has to be done. We will not allow this indolence to continue,” he warned. “Parents are crying. The pictures they send to us from Township School 11 are heartbreaking.”
Hours after the video went viral, Governor Fubara reacted indirectly during the 123rd and 124th combined quarterly meeting of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, assuring that his government remained committed to improving service delivery despite “glaring challenges.”
Fubara said the education sector would receive priority attention in the 2026 budget and urged residents to disregard claims that the delayed employment of 10,000 workers was intentional.
“The information is false,” he said. “Recruitment will be based on the needs of the state, not political considerations.”
He added that the state remained focused on stabilising governance and improving public trust. “Your role as traditional rulers is to bridge gaps and ensure peace. Thank you for standing firm to keep Rivers State stable,” he told the monarchs.
The exchange is the latest sign of growing cracks within the fragile ceasefire between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike. The duo’s feud had led to a major political crisis earlier in the year, prompting President Bola Tinubu to impose emergency rule before brokering a truce.
Since his reinstatement in September, Fubara has yet to form a new Executive Council beyond appointing a Secretary to the State Government—an omission that has fuelled further scrutiny from the Assembly.
Amaewhule’s latest remarks, analysts say, may signal a fresh round of political hostilities between the legislature and the executive, raising fears that Rivers State could be headed for another confrontation.
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