By: Felix Ikpotor
A faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly under Martin Amaewhule gained entrance into the Assembly complex early morning Tuesday and held a plenary.
Over 20 members loyal to Amaewhule attended the sitting which was held under tight security.
The lawmakers deliberated on the suspension of the strike by the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, PASAN, and the order for the police to investigate the fire incident in the chamber on October 30 and directed the IGP to investigate Edison Ehie, a factional speaker of the assembly and Chijioke Ihunwo, leader of Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria .
The House also gave first reading to a bill seeking financial autonomy for the lawmakers.
The House said it took the decision pursuant to Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Fifth Alteration) (No.6) Act, 2023, which provides for the financial independence of State Houses of Assembly and State Judiciary, and Executive Order No. 10 of 2020 by the Federal Government granting financial independence to the 36 houses of Assembly and the judiciary.
The bill was sponsored by Enemi Alabo George representing Asari-Toru Constituency 2.
Furthermore, Igwe Aforji of Eleme Constituency raised the motion for the investigation and prosecution of the perpetrators of the arson attack on the chamber of the state assembly on 30 October, 2023. The motion was signed by 24 other members.
Consequently, the House ordered the Inspector General of Police to invite Edison Ehie, Chijioke Ihunwo, and other suspected culprits of the dastardly act for questioning and prosecution.
In the meantime, police patrol vans have been stationed at the entrance of the Assembly complex.
However, vehicular and human movements which were restricted during the sitting by the members have now been lifted at Moscow Road.
Some senior police officers were sighted locking the entrance to the House of Assembly complex after deploying more men to the entrance gate.
This is coming barely 48 hours after Edison Ehie alleged an assassination attempt on his life on Sunday night.
