Fubara storms Rivers assembly quarters as crisis lingers

Governor Siminalayi Fubara on Thursday stormed the Rivers House of Assembly quarters amid the ongoing political turmoil in the state.

Tight security surrounded the area as the governor arrived at the quarters where the Martin Amaewhule-led legislators convene.

Fubara said he visited the location as the governor of the state. His visit coincided with a fresh crisis within the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Lawmakers loyal to the governor elected Victor Oko-Jumbo, representing the Bonny constituency, as their Speaker during a plenary session on Wednesday. Oko-Jumbo’s election, conducted following the House’s Standing Order, signifies his leadership over the entire 32-member Assembly.

Oko-Jumbo, aligned with Fubara’s faction, previously elected Edison Ehie as Speaker during the initial phase of the state’s political crisis. However, Ehie subsequently resigned from the state assembly and assumed the role of chief of staff to the governor.

Details regarding the attendance at the plenary session that led to Oko-Jumbo’s election as speaker remain unclear.