The political tension in Rivers State was heightened as Governor Siminalayi Fubara who has been at loggerheads with the State House of Assembly paid an unscheduled visit to the Assembly Quarters on Thursday.
The quarters serve as the official residence for the 32 legislators of the state and also house the temporary chambers of the Martin Amaewhule-led state Assembly since the demolition of the main assembly building.
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Accompanied by a convoy of uniformed and civilian aides, Governor Fubara briefly toured the premises before departing to inspect the Emohua-Kalabari road, slated for inauguration as part of his upcoming first-anniversary celebrations next week.
Governor Fubara expressed satisfaction with the execution of the road project and highlighted its importance.
Regarding the visit to the Assembly Quarters, Governor Fubara said it was to assess the facility in light of the emergence of the new Speaker, suggesting that some work may be necessary to be carried out there.
“Is Assembly not part of my property? Is anything wrong going to check how things are going on there? You are aware of the development, we have a new speaker and I went there to see for myself how things are for myself because there might be a few things that I may do there for the good of our people,” Governor Fubara said.
His visit came on the heels of a fresh crisis in the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Gistcore had earlier reported that a new factional Speaker has emerged in the Rivers State House of Assembly in person of Victor Jumbo.
Jombo is among the four lawmakers loyal to the State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara since the political crisis that rocked the state started.
The former factional Speaker, Edison Ehie, who was the leader of the pro-Fubara lawmakers, later resigned membership of the Assembly after President Bola Tinubu’s intervention to broker peace in the feud between Fubara and his estranged political godfather, Nyesom Wike, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
Ehie was later appointed Chief of Staff, Rivers State Government House, by Fubara.
Jumbo is the member representing Bonny Constituency in the state House of Assembly.
A source in the Government House, Port Harcourt, familiar with the development, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, confirmed the development to our correspondent on the telephone.
He stated, “Yes, I can confirm to you that Hon Victor Oko Jumbo has just emerged as the new Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
“His colleagues elected him during their sitting in Port Harcourt this afternoon. That is all I can say for now.”
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