Rivers State House of Assembly Overrides Gov Fubara’s Assent, Passes Public Procurement Amendment Bill

The Rivers State House of Assembly has once again clashed with Governor Siminalayi Fubara by overriding his veto and passing the Public Procurement (Amendment) Bill 2024 into law. This recent development marks the continuation of a long-standing feud between the legislative and executive branches in Rivers State.

The House of Assembly took this decision after Governor Fubara withheld his assent to the bill. In response, the lawmakers invoked their constitutional power to override the Governor’s veto, citing Section 100(5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as altered. This provision empowers the House to override the Governor’s veto when he withholds assent, provided the bill is passed by a two-thirds majority.

The Public Procurement (Amendment) Bill 2024 is intended to introduce significant changes to the state’s procurement processes. It aims to enhance transparency and accountability in the award of contracts and the management of public funds. The bill’s passage into law is seen as a move by the Assembly to assert its independence and to ensure the executive branch adheres to the principles of good governance.

This is not the first time the Rivers State House of Assembly has clashed with Governor Fubara. Since his inauguration, there have been several instances where the Assembly has overridden the Governor’s veto on various bills, including the Rivers State Funds Management and Financial Autonomy Law 2023, the Rivers State Local Government Amendment law 2023, the Traditional Rulers Law 2024, and the Rivers State Advertisement and Use of State Owned Property Prohibition Repeal Law 2024.