The Rivers State House of Assembly has refuted the claim made by Edison Ehie, the member representing Ahoada East Constituency II, who recently resigned from the House, that he held the position of Speaker, News About Nigeria reports.
The Assembly clarified that the position of Speaker is a creation of the law and not one that Ehie has ever been elected to.
In a letter dated January 1, 2024, titled ‘To whom it may concern’, the Clerk of the House, Emeka Amadi, addressed the misleading information in Ehie’s resignation letter, urging the public to disregard the false claim.
Amadi said that the Speaker’s office is established by the 1999 Constitution and should not be undermined by any member of the Assembly.
The letter stated, “Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie was never, at any time in the life of the Rivers State House of Assembly, elected a Speaker.”
Amadi pointed out that the current Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule, was duly elected on June 5, 2023, in accordance with the constitution.
The Clerk warned against the spread of misleading information about the House and called on security agencies to uphold the rule of law.
The disclaimer was issued to set the record straight and correct any misconceptions about the leadership of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Ehie’s resignation came amid a political crisis in the state, with factions within the Assembly and external interventions contributing to the turmoil.
The House of Assembly building was reportedly demolished in October 2023 due to the facility’s unsuitability for legislative activities after a fire incident.
The situation escalated amid allegations of an impeachment plot against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, leading to tensions within the legislative body.
Ehie, aligned with Fubara, claimed to have been elected as Speaker by 26 members, a contention that has now been refuted by the Assembly.
