By Davies Iheamnachor, PORT HARCOURT
The factional Speaker of the House of Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, has stated that the lawmakers do not need his visit of their quarters, noting that all the building in the premises were still new and not due for renovation.
Amaewhule, spoke after the governor of the state made a brief stop over at the facility to know that state of the facility.
The speaker, who led a team including, Major Jack, the Leader of the House, Samuel Nwanosike, the Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area, Barr George Ariolu, Obio/Akpor LGA Chair, to the Assembly quarters wondered why the governor would visit their quarters uninvited.
Amaewhule expressed fears that the governor was on the move to demolish the assembly quarters, noting that the buildings in the facility were still new and not due for renovation.
He said: “That is the building. I want the world to see the building. There is nothing wrong with the buildings. It is not even up to two years old. It was constructed by the immediate past administration and commissioned in August 2022.
“Rivers people were stunned this afternoon when they got the information that the governor of the state, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, stormed the quarters of the Rivers State House of Assembly, yet in another attempt to demolish the quarters just the same way he demolished the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex.
“Rivers people are watching events day-by-day as the governor who is supposed to uphold the constitution is gradually sliding to the Chief Law Breaker of Nigeria. Our governor demolished the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex and from what we are seeing plans again are on the way to demolish the quarters.
“Everything here is in order. The governor cannot come here and talk of renovating or repairing anything here without invitation. We have not invited him. We don’t need him here.
“The governor should allow the State House of Assembly to perform its function as outlined for them in the 1999 constitution as altered. We are calling on lovers of democracy to call him to order. Those he using should also be warned.”
Amaewhule stated that he remains the speaker of the House of Assembly and the 26 other of his colleagues still members of the legislative arm of the state, noting that the court decision declaring his position valid has not been vacated.
He said: “Just for emphasis, there is a judgment of the Federal High Court that is still subsisting. That judgement validates my speakership and the membership of the 27 lawmakers.”
Source: Vanguard
