Fresh tension is brewing between Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly after the Speaker accused the governor of abandoning public primary and secondary schools, describing the decay across the system as “an embarrassing failure of leadership.”
Amaewhule, who spoke during a House sitting in remarks now circulating online, warned that the legislature would no longer tolerate what he called “indolence and abandonment of responsibility” under the Fubara administration.
In the viral footage, the Speaker lamented that many schools across the state had become dilapidated, vandalised and grossly understaffed.
“It is a sad commentary that in Rivers State of today, one teacher is teaching Primary One and Two together. Pupils are learning without toilets, without electricity and without security,” Amaewhule said.
He cited a school sharing a fence with the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company office but operating entirely in darkness.
“That school has no electricity, no toilet, and no security; yet it sits directly opposite the police headquarters. What could be more embarrassing?” he queried.
The Speaker said his concerns were triggered by the House Committee on Education’s latest inspection visit, which revealed that pupils in some schools were being taught by random passers-by due to a shortage of teachers.
“How would anyone believe that in 2025, pedestrians are being called to teach pupils because there are no teachers? This is an aberration. It is unacceptable,” he fumed.
“Funds Available For Protests But Not For Teachers”
Amaewhule accused the state government of prioritising political mobilisation over core governance issues.
“When it is time to sponsor protests, funds will come out. But when it is time to employ teachers, there is suddenly no money,” he alleged.
He wondered why the planned recruitment of 10,000 workers initiated under the previous administration had stalled.
“What happened to that process? Interviews were done. People are waiting. Yet our children suffer,” he said.
Amaewhule insisted that the state cannot claim lack of funds, saying the immediate past finance boss left behind over N600 billion in state accounts.
“We have the money. So what is the excuse? We will not allow this negligence to continue,” he declared.
He also cited shocking cases of schools in Etche where roofs had become overgrown with weeds.
“Children are learning under roofs covered in weed. How the weeds got there remains a mystery, but it is appalling,” he lamented.
Hours after the Speaker’s criticism went viral, Governor Fubara responded indirectly during a meeting of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers.
While acknowledging the challenges, he insisted that his administration had not abandoned the education sector.
“Our vision includes a safe Rivers State and quality healthcare. Education infrastructure will be prioritised in the 2026 budget,” he said.
He dismissed reports that the government had abandoned the employment of 10,000 workers.
“People should ignore false information. Employment will be done based on needs, not politics,” he maintained.
The governor appealed to traditional rulers to continue supporting efforts to stabilise governance in the state.
The development has rekindled concerns about the fragile peace between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, now FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike under whom Amaewhule maintains strong political ties.
The Rivers political crisis reached a peak earlier in the year when President Bola Tinubu declared a short-lived state of emergency before brokering a truce between the two power blocs.
But despite his reinstatement, Governor Fubara is yet to constitute a full Executive Council—another source of friction with the legislature.
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