The rift between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Rivers State House of Assembly widened yesterday as Speaker Martins Amaewhule accused the governor of abandoning responsible leadership and deploying “attack dogs” against lawmakers.

Addressing reporters at a press conference in Port Harcourt on Thursday, Amaewhule dismissed the governor’s claim that he had been awaiting party leaders to convene a reconciliation meeting with the lawmakers. He insisted that several meetings had already been held, alleging that Fubara was deliberately undermining the Assembly.

The face-off between the governor and lawmakers loyal to Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike has resurfaced in recent days, heightening political tension in the state.

According to the Speaker, Fubara’s conduct and recent public statements “fall short of the qualities of a unifying leader.”

“At the moment, the governor is failing; he doesn’t want to be a leader,” Amaewhule said. “A true leader brings people together. The outburst yesterday doesn’t show leadership at all. Disparaging the FCT Minister is not leadership.”

He further accused the governor of sponsoring media attacks against Assembly members.

“Sending his attack dogs, all those his media thugs, to insult us on social media and radio stations is not helping him. These actions are not in the best interest of the people of Rivers State,” he added.

The confrontation marks yet another phase in the prolonged political struggle that has defined governance in Rivers State in recent months.