A Rivers State High Court has issued a temporary order restraining the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and 24 other lawmakers from parading themselves as members of the Assembly.
This development comes amidst a political showdown between Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and Governor Siminalayi Fubara, News About Nigeria reports.
The affected lawmakers are reportedly loyal to Wike, who has been at loggerheads with Fubara over political differences.
The court’s order also prohibits Martin Amaewhule from convening plenary sessions at the assembly premises until further notice. The case has been adjourned until May 29th, pending further deliberations.
Meanwhile, Governor Fubara on Thursday shed light on his surprise visit to the residential quarters of the State House of Assembly.
The visit, on Thursday, was part of the governor’s inspection of the 15.24-kilometre dual carriageway road project from Emohua to Abalama-Tema Junction. According to Fubara, he visited the assembly quarters to assess the condition of the structures and identify areas that require rehabilitation work.
The governor said the facility is a state government property and needs to be well-maintained.
He stated, “Is the Assembly quarters not part of my property? Is there anything wrong with going to check on how things are going there? You are aware of the developments. We have a new speaker, and I went there to see for myself how things are. There might be a few things I might want to do there for the good of our people.”
However, after the visit, the lawmakers raised an alarm over an alleged plot by the governor to demolish the Assembly Quarters on Aba Road in Port Harcourt, the state capital. The alarm was raised during a press briefing by Speaker Martin Amaewhule.
