Speaking in a video aired by News Central TV, Ehilebo expressed disappointment with the conduct of lawmakers who recently defected from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC), including Speaker Martins Amaewhule.
According to him, their actions suggest a lack of commitment to governance and public service.
“What Have They Really Achieved?”
Ehilebo questioned the performance of the lawmakers since they assumed office, arguing that the Assembly has been more associated with internal conflicts than legislative productivity.
“What exactly have they done for the people?” he asked, pointing out that frequent disputes, suspensions, and political standoffs have dominated headlines instead of bills, motions, or policies that improve citizens’ lives.
He noted that such constant instability weakens public trust in democracy, especially when elected leaders appear more interested in power struggles than solving real problems.
“When people see elected officials fighting endlessly, they begin to lose faith in the system,” he said.
The PDP member raised particular concern over the Assembly’s latest decision to move its next sitting to January 26, a move he described as illogical and harmful to the state’s progress.
According to Ehilebo, Governor Fubara had already made it clear that he was prepared to present the state budget, an important step in ensuring uninterrupted governance and development planning for Rivers State.
However, instead of facilitating the process, the Speaker reportedly convened a meeting and postponed Assembly activities.
“The governor had said he was going to present the budget, then suddenly the Speaker meets and moves sitting to January 26. How does that help Rivers people?” Ehilebo asked.
Ehilebo accused the Amaewhule-led Assembly of allowing political rivalry to take priority over legislative responsibility.
He argued that delaying critical processes like budget presentation could affect projects, salaries, and service delivery across the state.
According to him, budgets are not just documents but lifelines that drive development in key sectors such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and security.
“Any delay in the budget affects ordinary people first,” he said. “It delays projects, payments, and planning.”
The PDP stalwart urged Assembly members to remember why they were elected in the first place, stressing that voters did not send them to the House to engage in endless political disputes.
He argued that lawmakers should rise above party differences and work in the interest of Rivers residents, especially at a time when economic pressures and social needs are increasing.
“Leadership is about responsibility, not revenge or political games,” Ehilebo said.
Ehilebo warned that continued political standoffs between the executive and legislative arms could damage democratic values in the state.
He said when institutions deliberately frustrate one another, governance becomes ineffective and citizens suffer the consequences.
“Democracy must work for the people. If institutions refuse to cooperate, the people pay the price,” he added.
The development has attracted public attention, with many Rivers residents and political observers closely watching how the situation unfolds.
Questions are being raised over whether dialogue and compromise can still prevail or whether the state is headed for prolonged political tension.
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