Former Rivers State lawmaker and lawyer Chidi Lloyd has spoken out against what he terms a “solo government” under Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Lloyd, in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Friday, pointedly remarked, “Nobody has bothered to find out that the governor of Rivers State is running a solo government because, one, he has no commissioners, two, he has no appropriation.”
His comments reflect a growing concern that the state’s governance structure is severely lacking, raising alarms about its impact on public welfare and labour relations.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) earlier pledged to halt all duties performed by its members if the Federal High Court’s judgement, which prevents the Central Bank of Nigeria from disbursing funds to Rivers State, adversely impacts their welfare. A significant issue at the heart of the NLC’s grievances is the recent ruling by Honourable Justice Abdulmalik, which has been met with criticism from various quarters.
Lloyd urged the National Assembly to consider legislation that would criminalise disparaging remarks about judicial officers, stating, “It’s unfortunate that we have reduced to the situation where people, freely, cast aspersions on the judicial officers.
“I want to plead with the National Assembly to kindly consider a legislation that criminalises aspersions on judicial officers because they must be protected.”
Amidst these challenges, questions have arisen about the political landscape in Rivers State, particularly regarding the earlier alleged defections of certain lawmakers. Lloyd asserted that the actions of Martins Amaewhule and his colleagues did not constitute defection, stating, “A mere announcement on the floor of the Rivers State House of Assembly of their preference for the All Progressives Congress (APC) does not amount, in the law, to defection.”
Frances Ibiefo
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