Rivers: Wike Lawmakers Elect New Officers, Pass Vote of Confidence On Ousted Speaker During Illegal Plenary

Trouble at the Rivers State House of Assembly is yet to abate as lawmakers loyal to Nyesom Wike, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, have passed a vote of confidence on their ousted Speaker, Hon. Martin Amaewhule.

The vote was taken during an illegal sitting of the Wike faction Assembly, during which his loyalists also appointed Hon. Major Jack as leader of the Assembly while Hon. Franklin Nwabochi was appointed as chief whip.

Also, the Assembly entertained the first and second reading of the proposed Rivers State Funds Management Bill 2023.

Moving the motion for nominations, the member representing Akuku-Toru constituency two, Lolo Isaiah, nominated the Hon. Jack, a former Chief Whip of the Assembly, as the new leader, while the lawmaker representing Andoni, Hon.Ofis Christopher, nominated Nwabochi as the chief whip.

Neither nomination was objected to by any of the Wike loyalists seated for plenary.

Meanwhile, the Rivers State Funds Management Bill 2023 scaled the second reading after members debated the bill and stressed the need for financial autonomy for the State Assembly.

The Rivers State Local Government Amendment Bill 2023 also scaled the first reading during the factional plenary.

There had been a tussle for the soul of the Rivers State House of Assembly between the Amaewhule faction loyal to the FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, and the faction led by Hon. Edison Ehie, loyal to Governor Sim Fubara.

The Assembly split into two factions following the eruption of October 29, 2023, upheaval in the state over an attempt by lawmakers loyal to Wike to kick Governor Fubara out through a masterminded impeachment exercise.