A tense situation unfolded at the Rivers State House of Assembly complex as the Nigerian Police Force asserted control, fortifying the entrances and exits with over 30 officers and a fleet of patrol vans. This development comes amidst escalating political tensions within the state.
The trigger for this security deployment appears to stem from allegations made by the Speaker of the House, Martins Amaewhule, who accused Governor Sim Fubara of plotting to demolish the legislative quarters. Amaewhule’s claims coincide with a factional dispute within the assembly, with Victor Oko Jumbo emerging as a rival speaker.
However, the Clerk of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Emeka Amadi, has rebuffed Fubara’s faction, maintaining that Amaewhule remains the legitimate speaker. The rift within the assembly adds another layer to the ongoing power struggle between Fubara and the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, over the state’s political landscape.
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Fubara’s unannounced visit to the assembly compound on Thursday further fueled the tensions. Defending his presence, Fubara asserted his right to inspect the premises given the emergence of a new speaker.
He stated, “Is the Assembly quarters not part of my property? Is there anything wrong in going to check how things are going on there? You are aware of the developments. We have a new speaker, and I went there to see for myself how things are.”
