Rivers crisis: Pro-Wike factional lawmakers convene sitting despite court order

By Christiana EkpaTinubu

More drama seems to be unfolding in the crisis involving the Rivers State House of Assembly.
This time, the Martins Amaewhule-led faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly on Thursday convened a sitting.
The plenary session was held at the auditorium of the Assembly quarters on Aba Road, Port Harcourt.
This is despite an existing court order that restricted Amaewhule from parading himself as the Speaker of the House and the demolition of the Assembly complex by the Rivers State Government for renovation after a fire incident that affected the hallowed chamber.
The Amaewhule-led faction of the Assembly condemned the demolition of the Assembly complex by the state government.
The lawmaker representing Andoni constituency, Ofiks Kagbang, moved a motion of urgent public importance condemning the demolition, which was unanimously adopted by the House.
The 26 lawmakers attended the Thursday sitting led by Amaewhule, former Speaker of the House.
The lawmakers during sitting, passed the Rivers State House of Assembly Funds Management (Financial Autonomy) Bill, 2023.
The bill was passed after they debated on the report of the House Committee on Public Accounts.
Commenting on the report which was presented by Major Jack, Amaewhule, emphasized the importance of the passage of the Bill, which he noted will provide for the management of funds accruing to the Rivers State House of Assembly from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the State.
Amaewhule said the law will ensure accountability and efficient utilization of funds.
The House also passed the Rivers State Local Government Law, No. 5 of 2018 (Amendment) Bill, 2023 after a debate on the report of the House Committee on Local Government which was presented by the Chairman of the Committee, Ignatius Onwuka.
Meanwhile, the Amaewhule faction of the state Assembly, via a motion, adopted and converted the auditorium of the House of Assembly quarters as its hallowed chamber.