30th October, 2023
Political developments in Rivers State a dangerous turn on Monday morning with the sack of Edison Ehie, the majority leader of the State House of Assembly and commencement of impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminilayi Fubara by 23 lawmakers in led by the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule.
The lawmakers made the decision at an emergency meeting presided over by the Speaker following the explosion and fire incident that rocked the Assembly late Sunday evening.
The lawmakers had accused the Ehie of being responsible for the burning down of the complex. Ehie, was said to have incurred the wrath of his colleagues for being loyal to Governor Fubara.
They accused him of burning down the complex to stop the impeachment of the Governor.
The 23 lawmakers were said to be loyal to Fubara’s predecessor, former governor Nyesom Wike, who had fallen out with his successor and was interested in getting him out of office.
However, it was learnt that the lawmakers hurriedly abandoned the emergency session entered their vehicles and zoomed off following sporadic gunshots at the at the Assembly.
Fubara later arrived at the Assembly alongside the impeached House leader, Ehie.
Fubara, had also reportedly sacked his Chief of Staff, Chidi Amadi, and the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of Government House, Promise Wosu who were believed to loyalists of Wike.
Amadi was the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the state.
The Governor had also sacked the Government House Camp Commander.
A section of Rivers House of Assembly was razed by raging fire which followed an explosion at the sprawling complex on Sunday night.
Armed policemen drawn from the Rivers Command headquarters situated directly opposite the Assembly were drafted to cordon off the Assembly complex.
The firefighters successfully put the fire under control.
Sketchy reports have it that there was a massive explosion was inside the Legislative Chambers before an uncontrollable fire started.
The incident followed rumours of alleged rift between Governor Fubara and his predecessor who is now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike.