December 13, 2023 NewsOrient
News
By Kelechi Eke

The political crisis in Rivers State witnessed a new chapter early today, Wednesday, as Bulldozers suddenly demolished Rivers State House Of Assembly, the central theatre of the raging power game between Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara and his estranged political godfather, former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike.

The timing of the demolition has led to speculation that it may be Fubara’s way of frustrating possible actions of the 27 lawmakers who on Monday dumped the ruling political party, PDP, and defected to APC in solidarity with their mentor, Nyesom Wike.

But observers and analysts were not kept guessing for long as Fubara-led Rivers State Government immediately took responsibility for the action and gave reasons for ordering the demolition at this period.

The government said, among others, that it ordered the demolition because of “structural defects caused by the recent explosion and fire incident which rendered the main building unfit for use.”

A statement issued by the Rivers State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Joseph Johnson, said the demolition was based on advice by experts after the visit of the governor to inspect the level of damage done to the building on the day of the fire incident.

According to the Commissioner, on the night of the attack on the complex, the dynamites caused an explosion that shook the foundation of the building.

He said: “There were visible cracks on the walls afterwards, and the entire structure looked frail and unsafe for legislative business.

“After the assessment of the integrity of the complex, the experts warned the government that continuing to use the building in its present state would be disastrous.

“In the interim, the Rivers State Government has provided an alternative venue for the House of Assembly to conduct their affairs pending the rebuilding of the complex”, he said.

It would be recalled that the current face off between Governor Fubara and Wike first came to public knowledge when lawmakers loyal to Wike failed in their attempt to impeach Gov Fubara on the floors of the House of Assembly.
In the confusion that ensued, the Rivers State House of Assembly was bombed and set ablaze.

What followed included Monday’s defection of 27 lawmakers from the ruling PDP to the opposition APC.

With the current demolition of the House of Assembly, concerned observers are wondering what will be the next action of the various stakeholders in the battle for the soul of the oil-rich Rivers State.

~ NewsOrient