Political Tensions Soar as Rivers Assembly Factions Hold Parallel Sessions

In Rivers State, political tensions have reached new heights as two rival factions within the state assembly hold parallel sessions, signaling deepening divisions and escalating conflicts.

The Victor Oko-Jumbo-led Assembly, loyal to Governor Sim Fubara, convened at an improvised Hallowed Chamber within the Government House in Port Harcourt. Meanwhile, the Martin Amaewhule-led group, aligned with Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike, gathered at the official quarters of the State Assembly on Aba Road, also in Port Harcourt. Both sessions commenced at 10 am, underscoring the simultaneous nature of the rival gatherings.

Governor Fubara's supporters, led by Oko-Jumbo, focused on the screening of a new commissioner-nominee, Emmanuel Frank-Fubara. On the other hand, the agenda for Amaewhule's faction remained undisclosed at press time. This session marked the first for the pro-Wike lawmakers since a Court of Appeal judgment affirmed their status as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

This development follows a turbulent period for the assembly, which saw its complex bombed in October 2023. The attack occurred amidst an attempt by 27 lawmakers, loyal to Wike, to impeach Governor Fubara. In the aftermath, these lawmakers defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), prompting pro-Fubara legislators to declare their seats vacant.

The legal battle over the status of the 27 lawmakers culminated in the Court of Appeal ruling in favor of the Amaewhule-led faction. This legal victory has emboldened the pro-Wike lawmakers, intensifying the power struggle within the Rivers State Assembly.

As the situation unfolds, the political landscape in Rivers State remains volatile, with both factions vying for control and legitimacy in a deeply divided assembly. The implications of this power struggle are far-reaching, potentially impacting the governance and stability of the state.