Speaking during a recent event, Amaewhule explained further that the promising performance so far by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, including key appointments given to indigenous Rivers people, solidified their choice. He contrasted Tinubu's inclusive stance to the previous president's inattention to the region's critical needs.
On critics challenging the defection, Amaewhule asserted "we have met all constitutional requirements before defecting to APC." He insisted that the 4-man opposing faction led by Rt. Hon Edison Ehie lacks the numbers to form a quorum or to nullify such legislative actions.
Elaborating on factors behind the split, Amaewhule spotlighted the PDP leadership's failure to condemn or pursue accountability for the physical attack and burning of the Rivers Assembly complex earlier this year. Such indifference signaled waning commitment to the legislature's effective function.
In embracing the APC, however, the 27 lawmakers believe Tinubu has displayed tangible good faith efforts to uplift their constituents regardless of political affiliation. This includes greenlighting strategic appointments for Rivers members and prioritizing completion of the essential East-West road project.
While urging citizens to unite behind Tinubu in order for more progress, Amaewhule acknowledged nationwide challenges remain. But early affirmative actions on local matters provided hope for Rivers turning the page from feeling overlooked or taken for granted.
On the claims of funding cuts amounting to misconduct, the Speaker noted recent passage of a fiscal autonomy bill that now grants the legislature control over its own finances directly from consolidated revenue. This means they no longer need to depend on the governor's discretionary allotments.
Amaewhule alleged the punitive denial of operational funds represents improper, and an attempt to frustrate the Assembly's duties in retaliation for members withdrawing support. However, the new budgetary independence legislation renders such pressure tactics obsolete.
"What the governor is doing by not releasing funds to the state Assembly is against the constitution," Amaewhule reiterated. "But once the fiscal autonomy bill is formally approved as we expect, allocation of requisite resources to manage legislative functions will be codified."
This will compel the state executive organ to provide for the Assembly's financial needs irrespective of relations souring over political realignments. It also further safeguards separation of powers should a governor aim to compromise the budgetary process for partisan advantage.
By attempting to influence Assembly affairs through coercive means is demonstrating the very overreach and entitlement that spurred the representatives to seek new affiliations. They contend he fails to respect that the defectors acted fully within their rights through proper procedures.
With APC now the Assembly's majority party, members insist they remain committed to crafting policies and legislation that improve life for everyday Rivers people on issues like economic expansion, transparency, healthcare access and more. Alignment with the national ruling party could help secure cooperation advancing those aims.
The defectors say their focus stays fixed on productive governing for their constituents rather than petty infighting. But ongoing funding of operations remains essential to effectively execute their vision. The fiscal autonomy law they fast tracked intends to guarantee that against arbitrary controls by any one officeholder.
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