Despite a court order, a group of lawmakers loyal to Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike conducted a plenary session in secret and under heavy security at the Assembly Complex in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
This latest development has further exacerbated the political crisis in the state.
Recall that last month, a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, the state capital, had barred the lawmakers from holding any sessions until the case filed against them by factional Speaker Edison Ehie and other lawmakers was resolved.
But on November 20, the Amaewhule-led lawmakers sat at the Assembly complex under police protection and deliberated on a number of issues.
In response, The Federal High Court in Port Harcourt threatened to jail Speaker Amaewhule and Deputy Speaker Dumle Mao if they continue to defy a court order regarding the political crisis in the Rivers State Assembly.
The threat was made in Form 48, issued by Justice Phoebe Ayua on November 22 in response to Edison Ehie’s request, which highlighted Amaewhule’s group’s November 20 sitting.
The form, titled “Notice of Consequences of Disobedience of Order of Court,” and addressed to Amaewhule and Mao, reads: “Take notice that unless you obey the directions contained in this order, you will be guilty of contempt of court and will be liable to be committed to prison.”
At the plenary meeting yesterday, the Rivers State Assembly’s factional Speaker, Chikwendu Amaewhule, told lawmakers that Governor Fubara had failed to release funds for the Assembly’s operations in November.
Amaewhule, who represents Obio/Akpor Local Government, announced this after the House of Assembly Funds Management (Financial Autonomy) Bill 2023 was debated and passed a second reading.
“The governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has withheld the funds meant for the Assembly for the month of November 2023. But it is the resolve of the Assembly to perform its constitutional function, despite the distractions.”
All the lawmakers who contributed to the debate spoke in favour of the bill.
The Bill was later referred to the House Committee on Public Accounts for public hearing and further legislative scrutiny.
Additionally, the Assembly members conducted a by-election to fill the vacancy left by the removal of Edison Ehie as Majority Leader.
They elected former Chief Whip Major Jack as the new Majority Leader and Frankline Nwabochi as the new Chief Whip.
Jack and Nwabochi represent Akuku Toru Constituency I and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Constituency I, respectively, in the Assembly.
The new principal officers were elected following a vote of no confidence in Ehie by the members.