Police Take Over Rivers House Of Assembly Members’ Quarters

By Akinwale Kasali

At least 30 Police Operatives have taken over the quarters of Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

This followed a letter written to the Inspector General of Police by the factional Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, to the effect that the Governor, Siminalaye Fubara, is planning to demolish the living quarters of the State Legislators.

Fubara had, on Thursday, paid an unscheduled visit to the Legislative quaters, and said he did so in order to assess the quarters and see where repairs could be effected. The Governor paid the visit on the heels of the election of a new Speaker, Victor Oko-Jumbo by three members of the Assembly loyal to him.

But Amaewhule in reaction to the Governor’s visit said it is a prelude to the demolition of the Legislative Quarters by the Governor. He said they did not complain to the Governor of any problem and that the quarters were built only two years ago and needed no repairs.

However, on Friday, a Rivers State High Court ordered Amaewhule and 24 other pro-Wike Legislators, to stop parading themselves as Members of the House of Assembly in an exparte motion filed by Oko-Jumbo and others. The ruling is a consequence of the defection of the Legislators from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Progressives Congress, APC. The argument is that having dumped the Party under which they were elected, they should vacate their seats according to the constitution.

Friday evening, Police Operatives from the State Police Command, with about 25 Hilux vehicles, took over the Legislative Quarters, and blocked both the entrance and exit of the complex.

There is no doubt that the Police action is sequel upon Amaewhule’s call on the IGP, Dr Kayode Egbetokun, for protection against alleged threats by the Governor to demolish the complex.