The factional Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Barr. Ehie Edison, is currently presiding over a plenary session of the 10th Assembly.
Ehie Edison is loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Governor Fubara is reportedly scheduled to present the 800 billion 2024 state budget to the assembly today.
This development is the latest twist in the ongoing political battle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
Recall that on Tuesday, a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt declared Ehie Edison the legitimate Speaker of the Assembly, issuing a restraining order prohibiting Hon. Martins Amaewhule, allegedly backed by Wike, from claiming leadership.
The court also extended the restraining order to Dumle Maol, preventing him from parading as the Deputy Speaker. Additionally, the court prohibited the use of force, including thugs and police officers, to gain access to the Assembly Complex.
On Monday, 27 members of the Assembly defected from the PDP to the APC, citing internal divisions within the PDP. These defectors, led by Amaewhule, had initiated impeachment proceedings against Fubara, but the process was ultimately stalled by the intervention of President Tinubu.
Nigeria is a failed state. Wike would also do worse