TheCable

Martin Amaewhule, a factional speaker of the Rivers house of assembly, has alleged that Siminialayi Fubara, governor of the state, is planning to demolish the assembly quarters.

Speaking with journalists in Port Harcourt, the state capital, on Thursday, Amaewhule said the assembly quarters do not require any form of renovation.

Earlier on Thursday, Fubara visited the assembly quarters during an inspection of ongoing projects in the state.

The Rivers governor said he came to the assembly quarters to see if there would be some work to be carried out there after the election of a new speaker.

“Is assembly not part of my property? Is anything wrong going to check how things are going on there?” the governor asked.

“You are aware of the development, we have a new speaker and I went there to see for myself how things are for myself because there might be a few things that I may do there for the good of our people.”

‘WE DIDN’T CALL THE GOVERNOR FOR HELP’

However, Amaewhule said the legislators did not call for the help of the governor, adding that the quarters are in “perfect condition”.

The factional speaker added that the assembly quarters were built by the administration of Nyesom Wike, former governor of the state, and commissioned in 2022.

“Our governor demolished the house of the assembly complex and plans are underway from what we are seeing to again demolish the River state house of assembly quarters,” Amaewhule said.

“The quarters you have here are one of the best in the country. As you can see, there is nothing wrong with any of the buildings.

“All the buildings are in perfect condition. We have no issues. We have not called on the governor for any form of help.

“The Rivers state house of assembly quarters was built for members of the Rivers assembly, and not for the executive arm of government.”

THE CONTROVERSY

On Wednesday, Victor Jumbo, the lawmaker representing Bonny constituency, was elected as the factional speaker of the Rivers assembly.

TheCable understands that there are only two lawmakers loyal to Jumbo in the house.

Twenty-seven lawmakers are in the Amaewhule-led faction that is loyal to Wike, the minister of the federal capital territory (FCT).

The lawmakers have been at loggerheads with Fubara and even threatened to impeach him as governor.

On Monday, Fubara said the existence of members of the state house of assembly is based on his recognition.