WIKE’S STRUCTURE STRUGGLE FOR BREATHE, AS RIVERS STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY ELECTS NEW SPEAKER.
By
Obarinee Wai-Ogosu
The members of the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly on Wednesday 8th of May 2024 elected, Hon. Victor Oko-jumbo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as new speaker for the House.
Recall, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and former Governor of Rivers State, Barr. E. N Wike had boasted of buying all the forms for everyone who contested the 2023 elections under the umbrella of Rivers PDP.
The action was perceived to be motivated by his quest to preserve and sustain his political structure in the Oil Rich state.
Wike who also threatened, when a delegation of Rivers Cacus in the 10th National Assembly, comprising 3 Senators and 11 members of the House of Representatives visited him in Abuja saying, i am not interested in the government of Rivers, I am here as Governor in the FCT, but I am interested in the political structure of Rivers State which we have built over the years, if anyone tries to bring it down that person will face the crisis he wants in his life.
Following the last Legislative business held on the 13th of December 2023 and adjourned Sine dine, though there have been a torrent of Legislative rascality perpertrated by 25 former members of the 10th Assembly, led by Rt. Hon. Martin Amaehule.
The former members, being fully aware of the provisions of Section 109(1)(g) of the CFRN 1999, defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on the 11th of December 2023.
Consequently, Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie led Assembly on the 13th of December 2023 wrote to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declaring the seats of the 25 law makers vacant in line with Section 109(1)(g) and (2) of the CFRN 1999.