Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, on Friday, decreed the relocation of the State Assembly sitting to the Auditorium in the Administrative Block of the Government House in Port Harcourt.
In issuing this directive, the Governor promulgated the Executive Order of the Rivers State Government 001-2023.
Governor Fubara justified his decision by stating that the current condition of the Assembly Complex poses a significant safety hazard to the staff and legislators.
Earlier on Friday, a Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt granted an interim injunction prohibiting Martin Amaewhule, the speaker of the Assembly aligned with Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, and 24 other members from holding themselves out as lawmakers.
This court ruling was based on an expert order filed against the pro-Wike legislators by Speaker Victor Oko Jumbo, a supporter of Fubara, and three of his colleagues.
The official gazette of the governor states, “On the 29th day of October 2023, a fire incident, caused by unknown individuals, engulfed and destroyed the revered chambers of the Rivers State House of Assembly.” The current state of the Hallowed Chamber of the Rivers State House of Assembly is precarious and poses a danger to the lives of the staff and the Honourable members of Rivers State House of Assembly, rendering it unsuitable for the operations and deliberations of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
“It is deemed necessary to promptly undertake repairs, refurbishment, and reconstruction of the burnt and damaged chambers of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
“Furthermore, it is imperative to ensure that the operations and proceedings of the Rivers State House of Assembly are not hindered or obstructed.
“THEREFORE, I, SIR SIMINALAYI FUBARA GSSRS, the Governor of Rivers State, on this 30th day of October 2023, in accordance with the authority vested in me under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), hereby DECLARE, ENACT, AND COMMAND that all activities and operations of the Rivers State House of Assembly shall temporarily be conducted at the Auditorium in the Administrative Block of the Government House, Port Harcourt until the repairs, refurbishment, or reconstruction of the chambers of the Rivers State House of Assembly are finalized.”
