Police barricade Rivers assembly quarters amid demolition rumour

The two entrances to the Rivers house of assembly quarters in Port Harcourt, the state capital, have been taken over by some armed police officers.

The police officers numbering up to 30 were seen on Friday with their patrol vans manning the two major gates of the assembly quarters.

The development comes amid allegations that Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers, is plotting to demolish the assembly quarters.

The assembly quarters serve as the hallowed chamber and official residence of lawmakers for the Martin Amaewhule-led faction.

On Thursday, Amaewhule alleged that Fubara was planning to demolish the assembly quarters after a visit by the governor.

Speaking with journalists in Port Harcourt on Thursday, Amaewhule said the quarters do not require any renovation.

But the Rivers governor said he visited the quarters to see if there would be some renovation after the election of a new speaker.

The 26 lawmakers in the Amaewhule-led faction are loyal to Nyesom Wike, former governor of Rivers, who is now the minister of the federal capital territory (FCT).

POLITICAL CONTROVERSY IN RIVERS

On Wednesday, Victor Jumbo, the lawmaker representing the Bonny constituency, was elected as the speaker by lawmakers loyal to Fubara.

Only three lawmakers are in the Jumbo-led faction, including the factional speaker.

However, Emeka Amadi, clerk of the Rivers assembly, said there has been no change in the leadership of the legislature.

Amadi said Amaewhule is the recognised speaker of the assembly.

Earlier on Friday, a state high court in Port Harcourt granted an interim injunction restraining Amaewhule from parading himself as a speaker of the Rivers assembly.

In a ruling, Charles Wali, the presiding judge, also restrained 25 other assembly members from parading themselves as legislators.

The motion ex parte was filed by Jumbo and two other assembly members—Sokari Goodboy and Orubienimigha Timothy — who are loyal to Fubara.