BY Ebunoluwa Olafusi
The Rivers house of assembly has passed a motion to derecognise Celestine Omehia as a former governor of the state.
Omehia was governor of Rivers from May 29, 2007, to October 25, 2007.
His election was annulled by the supreme court while Rotimi Amaechi, minister of transportation, was declared the winner of the state governorship election.
Despite the supreme court judgement, Omehia was recognised as a former governor of the state by Nyesom Wike, the incumbent governor, in 2015, and accorded all entitlements.
The motion to derecognise him was moved by Martin Amaewmule, leader of the house, during plenary on Thursday.
Amaewmule asked the house to stop Omehia from using the title “His Excellency” and the acronym “GSSRS” (Grand Service Star of Rivers State) which is a state honour meant for an incumbent and former governors.
He also asked that Omehia be made to refund all monetary entitlements received from the state government, especially the sum of N600 million in benefits and N96.5 million pension that he has so far received.
All the 21 members present at the plenary voted in support of the four prayers.
Omehia is believed to have fallen out with Wike over his loyalty to Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Wike and Atiku have been at loggerheads since the party held its national convention.
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