DESPITE being completed several months ago, the new Rivers State House of Assembly complex remains unoccupied, with lawmakers continuing to hold plenary sessions and other legislative business at their residential quarters along Aba Road in Port Harcourt.
News Point Nigeria reports that the reconstructed Assembly complex on Moscow Road, equipped with modern facilities, enhanced security systems and upgraded interior fittings, has become one of the most prominent landmarks in the Rivers State capital, yet it has remained unused months after its completion.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara had, on November 24, 2025, during an inspection of the project following the lifting of the state of emergency in Rivers State, announced that the complex would be ready for use by December 2025.
Commending the contractors, Julius Berger and MCC, Fubara expressed optimism that, with the political crisis resolved, lawmakers would return to the new chambers, where he hoped to present the 2026 Appropriation Bill to the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly.
“We have worked diligently to ensure that their permanent chambers are ready. You know the challenges that affected our relationship previously.
“But, by the special grace of God, everything has been resolved, and we are determined to ensure the Assembly returns to its rightful place.
“I firmly believe that this facility will be ready before the end of December.
“When they return, the other side of the complex, not part of the major works, will be managed by the Speaker.
“But the main project on site will be completed to allow us to present the 2026 budget in the Assembly’s main chambers, with dignity befitting us,” the governor had said.
However, about a week after the governor’s declaration, the House resolved to continue sitting at its residential quarters, using the auditorium for plenary.
The resolution was adopted during the 39th Legislative Sitting of the Third Session of the Tenth Assembly, where the House also witnessed the defection of 17 members to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The motion was moved by the Deputy Majority Leader, Linda Somiari-Stewart, who cited Section 101 of the Constitution, which empowers the House to regulate its own procedures.
Speaker Martin Amaewhule supported the motion, stating that “what makes an Assembly is the people and not the building.”
Nine months later, the lawmakers are still conducting legislative activities from their residential quarters. They also received Governor Fubara’s 2026 budget proposal of N1.854 trillion at the residential quarters on July 10, 2026.
A senior government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment on the matter, confirmed that the new Assembly complex had long been completed and was ready for occupation.
“It has been completed for a long time, but with the situation in the state, we are taking things one step at a time. I’m sure the complex will be among the next projects to be inaugurated.
“Although, if you ask me, there is no need for the lawmakers to wait for any inauguration. Peace has returned to the state, and all parties are working together.
“They should move there and carry on legislative duties effectively because we all know where they are now is not comfortable,” the official said.
Stakeholders have also called on the lawmakers to relocate to the new legislative complex.
Former member of the House of Representatives and former Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Chief Ogbonna Nwuke, said the residential quarters could never provide an environment suitable for legislative business.
He also argued that the reported reconciliation under the so-called Rainbow Coalition, led by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, should be reflected in the lawmakers’ return to the Assembly complex.
“Well, as you know, the Assembly quarters would never be as conducive as the Assembly complex, which has all the facilities in place, including the sitting chambers and meeting rooms.
“And we are told that there is a Rainbow in Port Harcourt, a coalition that is working together. Evidence of that cooperation should be demonstrated by the lawmakers returning to their hallowed chambers, where legislative business ought to be conducted.
“The ideal thing would be for the lawmakers to return to where they are supposed to sit. The location of the Assembly also places the executive, legislature and judiciary within the same area, making coordination and governance easier.
“So let our lawmakers leave their residential quarters and return to the hallowed chamber where legislative business should be conducted,” Nwuke said.
The South-South Youths Initiative also urged the lawmakers to relocate to the new Assembly complex.
Its National President, Oscar Imeabe, alleged that governance in Rivers State had suffered as a result of the prolonged political crisis.
“It has never been like this in the history of Rivers State that you will have a House of Assembly that hardly sits to discharge its constitutional responsibilities.
“This is one of the reasons governance in the state has suffered.
“At this time, I want to ask the members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to return to their rightful place and continue sitting.
“A proper legislative complex has been built after the previous one was destroyed during the political crisis.
“We also commend Governor Siminalayi Fubara for completing the new House of Assembly complex.
“The current structure cannot be compared with any state Assembly complex in Nigeria today.
“Now that there is a conducive environment, the lawmakers should return so that Rivers State can enjoy effective governance, including lawmaking, oversight and the confirmation of commissioners,” he said.
Similarly, the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) said that with reconciliation between the executive and legislature, Rivers residents expected both arms of government to focus fully on governance.
The spokesperson for the CLO in Rivers State, Emmanuel Obe, said the prolonged political crisis disrupted governance and prevented the Assembly from sitting regularly.
“While those arrangements may have been necessitated by prevailing circumstances, they were far from ideal.
“Legislative proceedings are expected to be conducted in an environment that guarantees transparency, public access and effective citizen engagement.
“Holding plenary sessions in residential quarters, where public access is naturally restricted, falls short of these democratic ideals.
“Now that the new Rivers State House of Assembly complex has been completed and is reportedly ready for occupation, there is every reason for the legislature to relocate.
“Doing so will strengthen public confidence in the institution, improve accessibility for citizens and provide lawmakers with a more conducive environment to discharge their constitutional duties,” Obe said.
He added that the political crisis had come at a high cost to the state.
“With peace restored, the focus should now shift from political disagreements to rebuilding public trust, accelerating development and recovering lost ground.
“Rivers people cannot afford any further distractions. The legislature should lead by example by resuming its activities in the new Assembly complex and working harmoniously with the executive in the overall interest of the state and its people,” he added.