•Fubara accused of seizing Assembly’s funds

•Assembly picks new Majority Leader, Chief Whip

The political crisis in Rivers State has worsened.

Lawmakers loyal to Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike yesterday held plenary behind closed-doors and under tight security at the Assembly Complex on Moscow Road in Port Harcourt, despite a court order.

Last month, a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, the state capital, had restrained the lawmakers from holding any sitting, pending the determination of a suit filed before it by factional Speaker Edison Ehie led-legislators.

On November 22, the court threatened to commit Amaewhule and Deputy Speaker Dumle Mao, who led the 27 lawmakers that opposed Governor Fubara, to prison, if they disobeyed the court’s directives on the crisis rocking the Assembly.

The threat was issued in Form 48, pursuant to Ehie’s application, drawing the attention of the court to the November 20 sitting by Amaewhule’s group.

Justice Phoebe Ayua endorsed the Form 48, titled: “Notice of Consequences of Disobedience of Order of Court.”

The form, which was addressed to Amaewhule and Mao, reads: “Take notice that unless you obey the directions contained in this order, you will be guilty of contempt of court and will be liable to be committed to prison.”

But on November 20, the Amaewhule-led lawmakers sat at the Assembly complex under police protection and deliberated on a number of issues.

During yesterday’s plenary, the lawmakers accused Governor Siminialayi Fubara of withholding the funds meant for the running of the House of Assembly in November.

Amaewhule, who is the member representing Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, announced this at plenary.

The factional Speaker addressed his colleagues after the House of Assembly Funds Management (Financial Autonomy) Bill 2023 passed the second reading and a debate held on it.

All the lawmakers who contributed to the debate spoke in its favour.

The Bill was later referred to the House Committee on Public Accounts for public hearing and further legislative scrutiny.

Commenting before committing the Bill for public hearing, the Speaker said: “…The governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has withheld the funds meant for the Assembly for the month of November 2023. But it is the resolve of the Assembly to perform its constitutional function, despite the distractions.”

Also, the lawmakers conducted a bye-election to fill in the vacant position created by the ousting of Ehie as the Majority Leader.

They also elected the former Chief Whip, Major Jack, as the new Majority Leader, while Frankline Nwabochi became the Chief Whip.

The new principal officers are representing Akuku Toru Constituency I and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Constituency I in the Assembly.

Amaewhule congratulated the new principal officers into their new positions and roles. (The Nation)