Some members of House of Representatives have initiated a move to take over the Rivers State House of Assembly due to the lingering crisis in the state.
Rivers State is currently experiencing political tensions, with two factions of the State House of Assembly holding separate sittings.
The former Speaker Martins Amaewhule and 24 others had defected from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The state high court initially declared their seats vacant, but the Court of Appeal later ruled that it lacked jurisdiction to hear the case.
The Victor Oko-Jumbo led State House of Assembly has since filed an appeal at the Supreme Court to challenge the Appeal Court’s judgement.
This has led to a stalemate, with the state government and the Assembly unable to function properly.
However, the House of Reps members led by the member representing Edu/Moro/Patigi of Kwara State, Ahmed Adam Saba, in a statement on Thursday said the crisis had become “shameful, disgraceful, and inimical to the health of the nation.”
Saba explained that the group was standing for justice, and would do everything within its powers to ensure that the state was governed properly.
He said, “It will put an end to the lingering crisis in the state, and ensure that the government is run smoothly.
“It will also send a strong message to other states that the National Assembly will not fold its arms and watch while a state is plunged into chaos.
“We are not taking this move lightly, but we believe it is necessary to restore peace and stability in Rivers State. We will not be intimidated or deterred from taking this move, no matter the opposition we may face.
“Section 11 (4) and (5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) gives instances the National Assembly can take over state House of Assembly until the challenge facing it is resolved.”
He continued, subsection (4) provides, “At any time when any House of Assembly of a state is unable to perform its functions because of the situation prevailing in that state, the National Assembly may make such laws for the peace, order and good government of that state concerning matters on which a House of Assembly may make laws as may appear.”
Subsection (5) reads, “For the purposes of subsection (4) of this section, a House of Assembly shall not be deemed to be unable to perform its functions as long as the House of Assembly can hold a meeting and transact business.”
“This is not the first time the National Assembly is intervening in Rivers State Assembly crisis. In July 2013, it passed separate resolutions to take over the legislative functions of the state legislature pending the resolution of the crisis rocking it and restoration of peace in the state.
“The action followed a bloody crisis which erupted in the Assembly when five of its members led by Evans Bipi attempted to impeach the Speaker, Otelemaba Amachree. As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the people of Rivers State deserve better.
“They deserve a government that is functional, effective, and accountable. The plot to take over the Rivers State House of Assembly may be the necessary step to achieve this goal,” the statement added.
