The Rivers state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) may suspend all the pro- Gov. Siminialayi Fubara’s lawmakers if information reaching us is anything to go by.
Sources from the party hinted that the Desmond Akawo led executives is set to bare its fangs on the lawmakers suporting Gov. Fubara, a move that could help the faction loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike,win the unending fight between the minister and the state governor.
On Tuesday, November 21, 2023, the crisis rocking the Rivers State House of Assembly worsened as the two factional lawmakers loyal to Wike and Gov. Fubara held sittings in different locations.
The faction led by Martin Amaewhule, the factional Speaker loyal to Wike sat at the Assembly complex while the other faction led by Edison Ehie, the factional speaker loyal to Gov. Fubara, reportedly also sat.
The Pro. Wike lawmakers were said to have deliberated on two items concerning the suspension of the strike by the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria.
They were also said to have called on the state Commissioner for Police, Olatunji Disu, to investigate the October 29 explosion at the Assembly.
In their separate sitting, the Ehie-led faction passed a vote of confidence on Governor Fubara.
In a statement signed by one Ken Uchendu on behalf of the faction, they said that “rising from a sitting on Tuesday 21st November 2023, the House commended the Governor on his developmental strides and security initiatives to keep Rivers State peaceful,” stressing that it takes a man of great vision and peace to steer the ship of development for the benefit of the people of the State
“The House resolved to continuously give the governor the required support to accomplish his consolidation and continuity agenda to benefit the State.”
He said the lawmakers condemned the attack on the Speaker’s residence and the burning of the hallowed chamber of the Rivers State House of Assembly and that the House appealed to the governor to commence the rehabilitation works as soon as possible.
They also called on the Inspector General of police, and other related security apparatus in the state to investigate these attacks and bring the culprits to book.
Meanwhile, The Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, on Tuesday, ordered the two factions of the Rivers State House of Assembly to maintain the status quo and suspend further deliberations until the matter before it is determined.
Factional Speaker, Edison Ehie, who is an ally of Governor Siminialayi Fubara, had approached the court, seeking an order to stop the Speaker of the pro-Nyesom Wike faction, Martin Amaewhule, from presiding over the Assembly.
Ehie’s suit, marked FHC/PH/CS/240/2023, came up before Justice Phoebe Ayua on Tuesday.
In a ruling on Tuesday, the judge made an order “directing that all parties on record respect the court and should not take any step concerning the subject matter, since the matter is already before this court –sub judice – pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.”
While adjourning till November 27 to hear the Motion on Notion, the judge directed “the plaintiffs/applicants to put the respondents on notice forthwith.”
It would be recalled that the Rivers Assembly has been in a crisis and became factionalised since October 30 over an attempt by pro-Wike lawmakers to impeach Fubara.
An explosion had on the night of October 29 rocked the Assembly destroying multi-million naira valuables.
The crisis degenerated as policemen allegedly teargassed the governor who visited the Assembly on the morning of October 30.
The Assembly complex had since been under lock while there has been high presence of police officers at the premises.
