By: Daure David
Obio/Akpor Constituents Demand Action Against Speaker Martin Amaewhule
Rivers State is currently witnessing a major political upheaval as constituents of the Obio/Akpor State Constituency have initiated recall proceedings against Martin Amaewhule, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly. The move follows escalating discontent among the residents, who have formally petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the recall process to begin.
On March 7, 2025, a legal notice signed by lawyer Kenneth Amadi, representing the constituents, was submitted to the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Rivers State. The letter requests the release of the verified voter register for the Obio/Akpor Federal/State Constituency, a necessary step in initiating the recall process under Nigerian law. A stamp on the acknowledgment copy shows that INEC received the letter on March 11, 2025.
Amadi emphasized the constitutional and legal grounds for the recall, citing Section 69 of the 1999 Constitution, which allows for the recall of a legislator if more than 50% of registered voters in a constituency lose confidence in their representative. According to the letter, the constituents’ call for Amaewhule’s recall is driven by several grievances, including his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC), failure to effectively represent the people, involvement in alleged illegal impeachment activities, and failure to comply with Supreme Court orders.
Further allegations against Amaewhule include misuse of legislative power to meddle in governance issues and neglecting key promises made during his campaign, particularly in the areas of agricultural and aquaculture development for youth in the constituency.
Amadi also warned that should INEC fail to release the requested voter register within seven days, legal action would be pursued to enforce the constituents’ rights.
In a scathing critique of the Speaker’s leadership, Amadi claimed that since Amaewhule’s reinstatement as Speaker, legislative activities in the House have come to a standstill, with no significant bills being debated and no progress on constituency projects. Instead, Amadi accused Amaewhule of focusing solely on attacking the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), which has led to widespread concern about his priorities.
The political crisis in Rivers State has worsened in recent weeks, with tensions escalating between the state legislature and the executive. On March 12, 2025, Governor Siminalayi Fubara was denied access to the Assembly complex despite a Supreme Court order that required him to present the 2025 state budget. Governor Fubara had informed Amaewhule in advance that he would be presenting the budget the following day, but upon arrival at the Assembly, Fubara and his officials were confronted with locked gates, forcing them to leave without presenting the budget.
The standoff has further deepened the political rift in the state, which initially began after a fallout between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
This new development concerning Speaker Amaewhule is likely to add fuel to the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State, with both the Assembly and the Governor locked in a battle for power and influence. As the recall process progresses, the political future of Amaewhule remains uncertain, with the people of Obio/Akpor State Constituency waiting to see how INEC will respond to the demand for a recall.
