PORT HARCOURT/Nigeria: In a bid to caution against escalating tensions in Rivers State, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, the former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New People’s Democratic Party (nPDP) and a prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has issued a strong warning to Marthin Amaewhule, self-proclaimed Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, and his group of disenchanted former lawmakers.
Chief Eze, in a statement released to the media, highlighted the growing discord initiated by Amaewhule and his 26 colleagues who voluntarily vacated their seats in the Assembly upon defecting to the APC. Despite Governor Fubara’s leniency and President Bola Tinubu’s directive to continue funding and recognizing the defectors, Chief Eze expressed concern over the group’s inflammatory rhetoric and actions, which could further destabilize the already tense political environment in the state.
The APC stalwart criticized the flip-flop stance of Chief Nyesom Wike, the FCT Minister and former Governor of Rivers State, who previously advocated for the loss of seats for defectors but has now supported the retention of Amaewhule’s group. Chief Eze described as “hallucinatory” the call by Tony Okocha, yet to revalidate his APC membership, for the impeachment of Governor Wike, emphasizing that the group lacks the constitutional mandate to act as lawmakers after defecting.
Furthermore, Chief Eze called on Nigerians not to stand idly by while a few individuals, who have allegedly mismanaged the state’s finances for eight years, attempt to subvert democracy for their personal gain. He urged Governor Wike and the people of Rivers State to disregard such agitations and support the newly elected Speaker, Rt. Hon. Victor Oko-Jaja, in upholding the rule of law.
Regarding the legality of the election of Rt. Hon. JUMBO as Speaker by a minority of House members, Chief Eze cited precedents in other states where minority lawmakers had acted as the majority, asserting the legality of such actions in the absence of the rightful lawmakers. He called for expedited judicial action to clarify the legitimacy of Amaewhule’s group and criticized what he perceived as the presidency’s tacit approval of undemocratic actions by the former lawmakers, warning of a potential crisis if their actions are not curtailed.
In conclusion, Chief Eze emphasized the need for Amaewhule and his supporters to desist from acts that undermine the stability of Rivers State, commending Governor Wike for his efforts to rectify past wrongs and steer the state towards progress.
