A Federal High Court in Port-Harcourt has declared Rt. Hon. Ehie Edison as the legitimate Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Edison is backed by the state Governor, Sim Fubara.
The court also issued a restraining order preventing Hon. Martins Amaewhule, who is allegedly backed by Nyesom Wike, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, from further claiming leadership of the assembly. Dumle Maol was also restrained from parading as the Deputy Speaker of the Rivers State Assembly.
In addition, the court also warned against the use of Thugs and Police officers to forcefully gain access to the Assembly Complex.
This verdict comes amid a heated political battle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Wike.
On Monday, 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly defected from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing internal divisions within the PDP. The defectors, led by Amaewhule, had previously initiated impeachment proceedings against Fubara before the intervention of President Tinubu ultimately stalled the process.
Commentators believe the defection is primarily motivated by the lawmakers’ loyalty to Wike and his desire to maintain his political influence in Rivers State.
Recall that Wike has previously accused Governor Fubara of attempting to dismantle his political structure within the state.
However, during a recent meeting with traditional rulers, Governor Fubara said he would not “surrender our mandate and progress to intimidation, blackmail and deliberate sabotage”.
