- Ehie had earlier declared the seats of 27 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers, who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), vacant.
- Recall that earlier on Wednesday, Fubara presented the 2024 budget to the Ehie-led faction of the assembly.
A legislative session of the Rivers House of Assembly was held on Thursday, during which twenty-six lawmakers who had left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took part.
The assembly quarters in the state capital of Port Harcourt hosted the plenary.
A move to transform the house of assembly quarters’ auditorium into its hallowed chamber was approved by the 26 legislators during the plenary session.
Ofiks Kabang, a member representing the Andoni constituency, moved a motion to call the attention of the federal government, inspector-general of police, and the international community, to the constant attack of the legislature by Siminialayi Fubara, governor of the state.
The lawmakers condemned the demolition of the assembly complex by the state government without the approval and knowledge of the house.
Responding to the prayers moved in the motion, Martin Amaewhule, the factional speaker, hinted that the assembly would write to the United Nations and the international community over the action of the governor.
Amaewhule said the action of the governor amounts to “harassment, intimidation, and mindless attacks” against the legislature.
At the plenary, the lawmakers passed the Rivers State House of Assembly Funds Management (Financial Autonomy) Bill, 2023.
The Rivers state assembly is currently enmeshed in a political crisis, which has led to the division of the state legislature.
The faction loyal to the state governor has five members and is led by Edison Ehie, while the faction loyal to Wike, led by Amaewhule, has 26 members.
On Wednesday, Fubara presented the 2024 budget to the Ehie-led faction of the assembly.
Ehie had earlier declared the seats of 27 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers, who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), vacant.
During the budget presentation by the governor, the state government demolished the assembly complex, citing that there were cracks in the building following the October fire incident.
Fubara and Wike are at loggerheads over the control of the political structure in Rivers.
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