Rivers begins demolition of assembly complex three days after 27 pro-Wike lawmakers defect to APC
The crisis rocking the Rivers State House of Assembly took a new twist on Wednesday following the demolition of the assembly complex by the state government.
Bulldozers were said to have arrived at the complex around 6am for the demolition of the building razed by fire about two months ago.
The exercise trailed the defection of 27 lawmakers who dumped the Peoples Democratic Party for the All Progressives Congress. They are loyal to the factional Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, an ally of the immediate past governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The governor had immediately met with the state executive members after news of the lawmakers’ defection broke on Monday. The assembly has 31 members.
The recent development was triggered by the power tussle between Mr Wike and Governor Siminalayi Fubara over control of the state political structure.
The governor had earlier presented the 2024 budget estimates to the Edison Ehie-led faction of the assembly. The faction is recognised by the court.
Recall that the Amaewhule-led group in October served an impeachment notice on Fubara and removed Ehie as the House leader. However, assembly members loyal to Fubara swiftly removed Amaewhule and made Ehie the new Speaker.
A Rivers High Court in Port Harcourt stopped the Amaewhule-led group from gaining entry into the complex pending the hearing of the suit before it.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
States
Kaduna peace stakeholders, ACOMORAN partner on community security
According to him, the partnership will enable ACOMORAN members to support peacebuilding by reporting early signs of conflict and suspicious activities.
Hot news Home top
Andy Burnham confirmed as UK Labour Party leader, PM-designate
Mr Burnham was confirmed as the LP’s new leader at a special party conference on Friday.
Rights
Customs releases N7.61 billion for payment of 4,237 retirees
The NCS announced that the funds had been disbursed to the PFAs for onward payment into the retirees’ individual accounts.
Economy
Court dismisses Bayelsa traditional ruler’s suit against Shell
The Federal High Court in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, dismissed a suit challenging the divestment of Shell Petroleum Development Company Nigeria Limited from onshore assets.
States
Freed kidnap victims revealed terrorist losses in North-West operations: Army
The army said the victims told troops they were released after sustained military pressure weakened their captors operating from the Rijana forest.
Heading 4
Trump accuses China of interfering in 2020 election to help Biden win
Mr Trump said China meddled in the 2020 election and that Beijing helped former President Joe Biden win.
