EXCLUSIVE: Rivers Assembly Complex Under Demolition, Gov. Fubara Presents 2024 Budget To 5-Member Faction
The Evangelist News edition, Wednesday, December 13, 2023.
Rivers State House of Assembly complex is currently being demolished following a lingering political crisis in the state.
Meanwhile, at Government House, Gov. Siminalayi Fubara is presenting the state’s 2024 appropriation bill the 5-member faction of the assembly loyal to him.
Reports and videos now gone viral on social media show bulldozers around the complex this morning (Wednesday, December 13, 2023) bringing down the assembly structure.
This is coming barely 24 hours after a Rivers State High Court recognised Gov. Siminalayi Fubara’s loyalist, Ehie as Speaker of the house pending the determination of the substantial suit before it.
On Monday, the strained relationship between immediate-past governor Nyesome Wike and Fubara worsened when 27 lawmakers in the state assembly loyal to Wike out of 32 defected from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Decampees’ seats now vacant
This morning, Ehie has declared the 27 seats of the Martin Amaewhule faction who decamped to APC vacant, a session holding in Govt. House.
Fubara is currently presenting the 2024 appropriation bill before the Rt. Hon. Ehie Edison-led assembly in Govt. House, Port Harcourt while the assembly complex is being demolished. (Photo below.)
Before Fubara’s arrival at the session, the Speaker had declared the seats of all 27 defecting PDP members vacant, in line with S.109(1) and (2) of the constitution, as amended.
There are also reports that member representing Opobo/Nkoro constituency, Adolphus Timothy Orubi-Enimigha is also elected as Leader of the Ehie-led faction.
Correspondents report that there is tight security around the Rivers State Government House entrance this morning as the budget is being presented.
