By Ken Afor
There seems to be normalcy in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital following Monday’s political upheaval between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and some members of the State House of Assembly.
It could be recalled on Sunday night the chamber of the State House of Assembly was set ablaze by some arsonists.
The situation escalated on Monday morning when members of the House attempted to impeach Governor Fubara.
To achieve their motives, the lawmakers including the Speaker, Hon. Martins Amaewhule, numbering about 24 out of the 32 convened an early morning sitting and removed the Majority Leader of the House, Edison Ehie and three other members who were suspected to be loyalists of Governor Fubara.
They accused Ehie of being the mastermind of Sunday night’s incident setting the chamber of the Assembly ablaze.
The 24 members also served an impeachment notice to Governor Fubara.
Meanwhile, the Governor who was intimated with the development headed to the Assembly Complex alongside his team to disrupt the sitting but it was late as the lawmakers had left.
However, there were attempts by the police to prevent the governor and his team from gaining access to the Assembly Complex as they fired teargas on the governor and those with him.
Meanwhile, the governor while addressing his supporters at the Government House in Port Harcourt condemned the suspension of Ehie and the attack on the Assembly chamber, he accused the police of firing teargas at him, adding that the police appeared to have been compromised.
He said, “It is unfortunate that a public facility such as the Rivers State House of Assembly, a facility that we used taxpayers money to build, would be destroyed for selfish reasons, just to please somebody, it is unfortunate.
“I am calling on the security agencies to sit up because from what I am seeing the security agencies have even been compromised, they were shooting teargas at me directly.”
After many twists and turns, the lawmakers who tried to impeach the governor regretted their actions and showed their loyalty to the governor, they held a plenary session at a chamber inside the Government House, Port Harcourt and suspended the Speaker of the House, Hon Amaewkhule and Hon. Ehie was named the new speaker.
Addressing journalists shortly after becoming the new Speaker, Ehi promised to ensure fairness and justice for everyone in the state.
He said, “The House just rose from plenary and with all humility I must thank my colleagues, 26 Assembly members, who have just elected me as the new speaker of the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly.
“My commitment to Rivers people is that I will be just and fair to all and sundry. And I will ensure that the rule of law takes its course. I will not betray my colleagues and Rivers people and I will not betray my constituency. I will also ensure the independence of the Rivers State House of Assembly is adhered to, with mutual respect to the judiciary and executive arms.
“Everything due my colleagues as honourable members, constitutionally will be given to them. The honourable members that have been suspended will also be given fair hearing.
“The committee of information will publish the names of those suspended. The House has also urged the committee on petitions to give them fair hearing.
“The House has adjourned sine dine because the Parliamentary Association of Nigeria has served us a notice of indefinite strike from Abuja. So we cannot sit again. It means any sitting can’t hold water. The court is there, if you are aggrieved you should approach the court.”
Meanwhile, in an unexpected move, Governor Fubara sacked the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Chibuzor Amadi, the Chief of Staff Chidi Amadi and Chief Security Officer (CSO) Promise Wosu.
Although the reason for their sack was not disclosed, it is believed to be an attempt by the governor to take full control of the government.
The police command in the state said an investigation has commenced to unearth the causes of the crisis.
In a statement by the Public Relations Officer (PRO), Grace Iringe-Koko, “The Rivers State Police Command is on top of the security situations that occurred at the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex.
Consequently, a full-scale investigation has been launched to unravel the circumstances surrounding the situations and take immediate policing actions against anyone found wanting.”
In the midst of the crisis, details revealed that the perceived rift between Governor Fubara and his predecessor Nyesom Wike could be linked to the Governor’s move to restore the state-owned Songhai Farm, which was initiated by former Governor Chibuike Amaechi, as well as the governor’s recent swearing in of four commissioners without the knowledge of Wike.
To prevent the crisis from getting out of hand, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum will hold an emergency meeting today, Tuesday, October 3 at the Akwa Ibom State Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja, by 3p.m.
A member of PDP-GF, who did not want his name mentioned, said, “This emergency meeting has become imperative because we cannot afford to close our eyes while things are going wrong.
“As a Forum (PDP-GF), we must act fast to ensure that this crisis doesn’t go out of hand as such will not be to the benefit of anybody.”
The source also disclosed that the November 11 governorship election in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi states will be discussed in the meeting as well as other issues of national importance.
