The Rivers State House of Assembly has endorsed three new bills aimed at shaping the state’s governance structure.

The bills were passed during the Assembly’s 136th Legislative Sitting on Friday and will be sent to Governor Siminalayi Fubara for approval.

The approved bills include the Rivers State House of Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Bill, 2025, the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) Bill, 2025, and the Rivers State Local Government Bill, 2025.

The Powers and Privileges Bill seeks to give the Assembly certain rights and protections to carry out its duties without interference.

The RSIEC Bill will replace the 2018 electoral law and set new guidelines for the state’s electoral body in line with the 2022 Electoral Act and the 1999 Constitution.

The Local Government Bill will replace previous laws from 2018, 2023, and 2024, introducing a new framework for managing local government councils.

Speaker Martin Chike Amaewhule explained that the House was adopting parts of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act of 2017, which grants lawmakers certain authorities in carrying out their duties.

He also noted the need for the RSIEC Bill to align with national electoral laws, while the Local Government Bill was crafted to ensure compliance with constitutional provisions.

After discussions, members of the Assembly agreed on the importance of the bills and gave their approval.

Rivers Assembly Adjourns Plenary Indefinitely
The fresh budget presentation scheduled for Wednesday March 19 may have suffered a setback as the Rivers State House of Assembly has adjourned its plenary indefinitely.

This decision, made during a session held at the assembly quarters in Port Harcourt on Friday, has raised concerns about the fate of the 2025 Appropriation Bill.

Governor Siminalayi Fubara had earlier written to the Assembly, requesting a new date for the budget presentation after his initial attempt on March 12 was unsuccessful.

He and his entourage were reportedly locked out of the Assembly Complex, despite prior notice of his visit.

In his latest letter, dated March 13, the governor proposed presenting the budget on March 19 or any other convenient date within the month.

He reminded the lawmakers that the Supreme Court, in a ruling on February 28, had directed the presentation of the budget to the Assembly.

Bashir El-Rufai, the son of ex- Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has begged Nigerians following backlash over his controversial comment on X (formerly Twitter).

Bashir, known for his brash social media presence, had posted a controversial remark suggesting that the killings in Southern Kaduna would persist if residents continued to attack Fulani herdsmen.

It is your stupid mother that is an elephant. And Southern Kaduna residents will keep seeing sheghe (trouble or suffering) if they continue to attack indigenous Fulani herdsmen.

” Oloshi,” Bashir wrote in response to an X user, @qykali, who had accused his father of overseeing “industrial-scale ethnic cleansing” in the region during his tenure as governor.

The term sheghe (shege)—a Hausa slang implying severe suffering—was perceived as an endorsement of violence, igniting outrage from many Nigerians who saw it as an attempt to justify the recurring massacres in Southern Kaduna, where suspected herdsmen have repeatedly attacked communities.

Following the backlash, Bashir deleted the tweet and later offered an apology, admitting that his initial post was “in bad taste.”

My tweet about Southern Kaduna residents & persecuted Fulani herdsmen was in bad taste & also badly written in an attempt to make a point in the heat of the moment. I apologize for that to those that know me, and are aware that I don’t harbor such sentiments,” he wrote on X.

Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication to Nyesom Wike, has stated that the Minister’s involvement in Rivers State politics has not in any way hindered his duties in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

In an interview with TVC, Olayinka emphasized that Wike, as a politician, must remain actively engaged in politics to maintain relevance.

He rubbished speculations that Wike’s political activities in Rivers State have distracted him from his ministerial responsibilities.

According to Olayinka, Wike possesses remarkable energy and multitasking abilities, ensuring that his work in the FCT remains unaffected. He highlighted that the minister’s performance is evident on the streets of Abuja, where residents can attest to his efforts in governance.

Olayinka also noted that while no leader can solve all problems, Wike’s contributions to the FCT are undeniable, and his political engagements should not be viewed as a distraction.