Security personnel seized control of the House of Assembly complex on Tuesday as members loyal to both factions of Edison Ehie and Martins Amaewhule allegedly held separate sittings at different locations. This is a result of the alleged rift between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
Reports state that there were four police patrol vehicles positioned at the Moscow Road entrance of the Assembly complex in Port Harcourt, since both pedestrian and vehicle traffic was prohibited in that area of the Assembly.
According to sources, Amaewhule and roughly 25 other lawmakers met early yesterday to discuss two issues related to the suspension of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PSAN) strike. In addition, they gave Olatunji Disu, the recently appointed Commissioner of Police, the task of looking into the explosion that damaged numerous homes and levelled sections of the Assembly Chamber.
At the same time, the group led by Ehie met in an undisclosed place and voted to support Governor Fubara, saying they would either “swim or float” with him.
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Ehie stated in a statement sent by his legislative assistant, Ken Uchendu, that “guiding the ship of development for the benefit of the people of the state requires a man of vision.”
As per their faction, they would consistently provide the governor with the necessary backing to achieve his objective of consolidation and continuity for the good of the state.
The House of Assembly’s burning and the attack on Ehie’s home on Sunday night were both denounced by the legislators.
“In addition, the House impressed on the need for the Inspector General of Police and other related security apparatus of the state to investigate these attacks and bring the culprits to book,” the lawmakers stated in a statement.
Recall how the governor was threatened with impeachment by a faction of the Assembly purportedly loyal to Wike? This incident caused a significant dilemma for the state.
