…Alleges plot to demolish buildings
From TONY JOHN, Port Harcourt
Rivers State House of Assembly led by Martin Amaewhule has flayed the visit to the lawmakers’ residential quarters by the Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
The 10th Assembly alleged that the governor’s visit was a plot to carry out demolition at the quarters the same way he demolished the House of Assembly Complex in Port Harcourt.
Governor Fubara had on Thursday, visited the lawmakers’ official residence to ascertain the condition of the place and know whether there is any work to be done at the quarters.
Addressing journalists shortly after the governor’s visit, factional speaker, Martin Amaewhule accompanied by his colleagues and some local government chairmen, faulted the governor’s visit to their quarters without notification.
Amaewhule said it was unfortunate that the governor was not living up to expectations as chief security officer of the state.
He said: “Rivers people were stunned this afternoon when they got the information that the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara stormed the Rivers State House of Assembly Quarters in yet another attempt to demolish the Rivers State House of Assembly Quarters just the same way he demolished the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex.
“Nigerians, Rivers people are watching events day by day as our own governor, who is supposed to uphold the Constitution is gradually sliding into the position of chief law breaker of Nigeria.
“Our governor demolished the House of Assembly Complex and plans are underway from what we are seeing to again, demolish the Rivers State House of Assembly Quarters.
“The quarters we have here is one of the best in the country. The Rivers State House of Assembly Quarters was built by the past administration under His Excellency Nyesom Ezenwo Wike. It was commissioned in August, 2022, by the then Speaker of the House of Representatives, now Chief of Staff to Mr. President.
“As you can see, there is nothing wrong with any of the buildings. All the buildings are in perfect condition. Our hall is in perfect condition. We have no issues; we have not called on the governor for any for of help.
“The Rivers State House of Assembly Quarters was built for members of the House of Assembly and not for the Executive arm of the government. The undue interferences of the governor is one that is unbecoming of a sitting governor, who is supposed to uphold the sanctity of the law. We are disappointed, we are ashamed.”
They accused the governor for not having respect for rule of law and democracy, stressing that on daily basis, the governor carries out actions that are against democratic institutions.
According to him, “Ordinarily, the governor needs to write to the Speaker to get into our hallowed chamber or to get into our premises, or at least, inform us if he has any reason to come here.
“Coming here and seeking to demolish our property the ones built with taxpayers’ money for effective administration of the state legislature is unbecoming of a governor in our time.”
On the status of the 27 lawmakers, who are now members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Amaewhule declared: “For the avoidance of doubt, it is important I make it clear, the 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly are sitting, conducting the legislative business in line with the constitution of the Federal Government of Nigeria as altered, in line with our law.
“We remain members. No member of the Rivers State House of Assembly has his or her seat declared vacant. The constitution is clear, that the only person that can declare a seat vacant is Mr. Speaker.
“I am the speaker. I was elected by all the members sitting and present during the day the House was proclaimed. All the members voted me and I have continued to do my job and I remain the Speaker. The Deputy Speaker is the Deputy Speaker. All of us have been doing our jobs for which we were voted for.
“But, let me make it clear and draw the attention of Nigerians and Rivers people that there is a subsisting judgement of the Federal High Court, which has issued an interim injunction on the governor, who is a party in that suit, asking the governor to stop interfering in our affairs. That judgement is still subsisting. That judgement has not been set aside. That judgement said I am the speaker and members should not be disturbed.
“The 27 members of the House of Assembly are intact. We are working for the people of Rivers State. We remain members, we remain principal officers.”
Amaewhule declared that the governor lacks jurisdiction to say who is the Speaker and who is not.
“What we are seeing is corruption that is fighting back. Corruption is fighting back. Everything we have challenged the governor to answer, he has refused to answer them. All he is doing is the resort to blackmail, intimidation, media attacks. We remain resolute.”
He vowed: “We would resist any attempt to allow people who were not elected to be in office. The reason is because the constitution is clear.”
Amaewhule alleged that plans were underway to harm them, stressing that they could not run away from carrying out the jobs they were elected for.
He, however, commended the lawmakers, especially the female colleagues, who are not afraid in defending the state and Rivers people.
“We are not afraid. They can come with all the military personnel; they can come with all the police officers. We will sit when we need to sit. Any time we have adjourned the House, when it is time to sit,bwe would sit because we have the mandate of the people to sit. Governor has no power over the legislature. The legislature is a creation of the constitution. He has nothing to stop us.”