Despite being completed several months ago, the new Rivers State House of Assembly complex on Moscow Road in Port Harcourt remains unoccupied, with lawmakers continuing to hold plenary sessions and other legislative business at their residential quarters along Aba Road.
The reconstructed complex, fitted with modern facilities, enhanced security systems and upgraded interiors, has become a prominent landmark in the state capital. Governor Siminalayi Fubara, during an inspection of the project on November 24, 2025, after the lifting of the state of emergency in Rivers, announced that the complex would be ready for use by December 2025.
Commending contractors Julius Berger and MCC, Fubara expressed optimism that with the political crisis resolved, lawmakers would return to the new chambers. He said he hoped to present the 2026 Appropriation Bill there 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,” Fubara said. “I firmly believe that this facility will be ready before the end of December.”
However, about a week after the governor’s declaration, the Assembly 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, the same day the House witnessed the defection of 17 members to the All Progressives Congress.
The motion was moved by Deputy Majority Leader Linda Somiari-Stewart, who cited Section 101 of the Constitution, which empowers the House to regulate its own procedures. Speaker 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 the residential quarters. They received Fubara’s 2026 budget proposal of N1.854 trillion at the same location on July 10, 2026.
A senior government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment, confirmed that the new complex had long been completed and was ready for use. “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,” the official said. “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.”
Stakeholders have urged the lawmakers to relocate. 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 match the facilities of 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,” Nwuke said. “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… The ideal thing would be for the lawmakers to return to where they are supposed to sit.”
The South-South Youths Initiative also called for the relocation. Its National President, Oscar Imeabe, alleged that governance in Rivers 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,” he said. “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… 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.”
Similarly, the Civil Liberties Organisation said that with reconciliation between the executive and legislature, residents expected both institutions to focus fully on governance. Spokesperson Emmanuel Obe noted that holding plenary sessions in residential quarters restricted public access and fell short of 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,” Obe said. “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… 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.”
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