Two members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Tonye Adoki and Hon. Linda Somari Stewart, have reportedly rescinded their decision to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) and have opted to rejoin the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Recall that there is an ongoing political struggle for control of Rivers State between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the current governor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
According to an X user, @SodiqTade, believed to be a PDP stalwart, the development was confirmed.
He stated, “As of 11:35 a.m., two of the 26 members have reversed their decisions to join APC in Rivers State and have now pledged their loyalty to PDP and the leadership of Sim Fubara. We now have 7 members.”
Meanwhile,the Rivers State Government on Wednesday morning began demolition of the state assembly complex.
This is seen in a video shared on X (formerly Twitter) by user, showing how part of the building is being demolished.
A social media user based in the state, Brian Jonah Dennis also shared pictures of the part of the demolished building on his Facebook page.
He said, “Former Governor, Mr Wike was so obsessed with flyovers that he left the State Assembly chambers in tatters. Our Governor and leader, His Excellency Sim Fubara, is committed to true infrastructural transformation across every sector of Rivers. He is going to build a State Assembly chamber befitting of our lawmakers.”
This incident may be another step to deepen the political crisis in the state. It was learned that this came as the factional Speaker, Edison Ehie, who is pro-Governor Governor Siminalayi Fubara, led other lawmakers loyal to the governor to hold a sitting early on Wednesday before the demolition began.
The demolition is being done under tight security.
READ TIMELINE OF RIVERS STATE CRISIS:
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It is also reported in October how security personnel fired gunshots and tear gas canisters on the premises of the House of Assembly Complex as lawmakers commenced the process of impeaching Governor Fubara.
The tear gas was used to disperse some lawmakers and protesters after the governor stormed the complex to prevent his impeachment.
The governor also accused security agencies of bias and “shooting at him directly” amid the ongoing crisis in the state.
Meanwhile, the state police command in its first reaction said it had launched a comprehensive investigation to uncover the circumstances surrounding the alleged shooting amid the ongoing crisis in the state.
On Monday, 27 members of the House of Assembly said to be loyal to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory and immediate past governor of the state, Mr Nyesom Wike defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The lawmakers announced their defection at the plenary, citing division in their party – Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) – as the reason for the move.
The lawmakers led by Martin Amaewhule had initiated impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara, but the move failed.
The crisis recently led to the burning of the State Assembly complex and factionalised the lawmakers into camps.
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