Political tensions in Rivers State reached new heights on Monday as two factions of the State House of Assembly held separate sessions.
Victor Oko-Jumbo, leading a faction loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and Martin Amaewhule, heading a group aligned with Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, both convened at different locations.
The pro-Fubara lawmakers met in an improvised chamber at the Government House in Port Harcourt, while the pro-Wike legislators gathered at the State Assembly official quarters on Aba Road. Both sessions were scheduled to start at 10 am.
The Oko-Jumbo faction planned to screen a new commissioner-nominee, Emmanuel Frank-Fubara. The agenda for the Amaewhule-led faction was unclear at the time of reporting, but this marked their first meeting since the Court of Appeal recognized them as legitimate members of the Assembly.
This political division follows the bombing of the State House of Assembly Complex on Moscow Road, Port Harcourt, in October 2023. The attack came after an attempt by 27 lawmakers loyal to the FCT Minister to impeach Governor Fubara.
Following these events, the pro-Wike lawmakers announced their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). In response, the pro-Fubara legislators declared their seats vacant, leading to ongoing litigation regarding the status of the 27 lawmakers.
