• Rivers Govt Establishes Conflict Prevention, Peace Committee In Councils
• Bode George Seeks Party Elders, Stakeholders’ Intervention In Rivers Crisis

A Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has barred the Speaker of the state assembly loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and other 24 lawmakers who decamped to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from parading themselves as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.It would be recalled that Amaewhule and the other 24 of his colleagues defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on which they were elected to the APC.

Justice Charles N. Wali gave this order in a case with suit number PHC/1512/CS/2024, filed by Victor Oko Jumbo (Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly), Sokari Goodboy and Orubienimigha Timothy, members of the assembly; Martin Chile Amaewhule and 24 others, and the Governor of Rivers State, the Attorney General of the state and the Chief Judge of the state.

Wali, following the motion ex-parte and after hearing from Sammie A. Somiari (SAN) with B.N.Owunabo, Esq. and others for the claimants/applicants stated that Amaewhule and the 24 others should stop acting as lawmaker.

Wali also ordered that the government of the state should stop dealing with the said lawmakers as their seats had remained vacant after defecting from the PDP that produced them.

The order read: “An Order of interim injunction is granted restraining the 1st to 25th defendants from parading and holding out themselves as members of Rivers State House of Assembly and/or meeting/sitting at the auditorium of the House of Assembly Quarters located at off Aba Road, Port Harcourt or any other place whatsoever to purport to carry out the legislative business of the Rivers State House of Assembly, their legislative seats having been declared vacant pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.

“An Order of interim injunction is hereby made restraining the 26th to 28th defendants from dealing with, interfacing, accepting any resolutions, bills and/or howsoever interacting with the 1st to 25th defendants in their purported capacities as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, their legislative seats having been declared vacant with effect from December 13, 2023 pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.”

The court, however, adjourned the case till the May 29, 2024 for Motion on Notice.
MEANWHILE, amid the political turmoil in the state, government has said it plans to establish Community Conflict Prevention and Peace Building Committee (CCPPC) in all the 23 local councils of the state.

The government noted that the state needs peace, adding that the move will provide an avenue for prompt response to conflicts that may arise in any part of the state as regards boundary issues.

The state Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Odu, disclosed this in Port Harcourt at a public enlightenment on Rivers State Boundary Commission (RSBC) with the theme, “The Essence of Peace Building, the Role of the Rivers State Boundary Commission in the Peaceful Resolution of Boundary Disputes in the state.”

Odu, who is the Convener and the Chairman of RSBC, stated that boundary issues between communities and local councils have been a source of most crises in the state, adding that the government is taking proactive steps to nip it in the bud.

She noted that peace stands as a cornerstone of progress, development and prosperity in any society, adding that the CCPPC would be a vital force that would propel harmonious co-existence in communities.

She commended the efforts of RSBC in addressing and resolving the contentious issues of boundary through dialogues, and mediation, noting that the commission plays a critical role as regards the rule of law.

In a related development, former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, yesterday, called on elders and stakeholders of the party to immediately intervene in the political crisis rocking Rivers State.

Speaking in Lagos, he warned President Bola Tinubu not to treat with levity the threat by some of the state lawmakers in the house of assembly to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Insisting that the oil-bearing state belongs to PDP, he advised that nobody should sit on the fence and pretend as if everything is okay.George maintained that all the PDP lawmakers who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) have automatically lost their seats “and they are in no position to threaten Governor Fubara.

“So, their plot to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor is already in vain. Rivers people belong to PDP. Those threatening to impeach the governor are being remote-controlled by some forces. This must stop because if Rivers is set on fire today, that may end this democracy.”