Ehie Emerges As Rivers Assembly New Speaker, Justice Amadi Suspended

Edison Ehie has emerged as the new Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Naija News reports.

Ehie was the former majority leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly. Meanwhile, the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Simeon Amadi, has been suspended.

It could be recalled that the Rivers Assembly had earlier removed Ehie, over his alleged complicity in the arson attack on the assembly on Sunday night.

Ehie, who is believed to be a strong supporter of Governor Similanayi Fubara, was said to have frustrated the initial attempt to initiate impeachment proceedings against the governor.

Naija News learnt that the Chief Judge, Amadi, was suspended by members of the assembly loyal to Governor Fubara, governor of the state.

Fubara was reportedly directed to appoint an acting chief judge immediately. The development is the latest to unfold in the chaos that has trailed the rumours of attempts to impeach Fubara.

Earlier, a fire had gutted a section of the assembly complex and the main chamber.

On Monday, the house removed its leader, Edison Ehie, allegedly as part of the plot to impeach the governor.

All local government chairpersons in the state have also been reportedly sacked, while the state executive council has been said to be dissolved.

A defiant Fubara breezed into the house of assembly complex earlier in the day after addressing a horde of youths outside the government house.

Teargas fumes and water cannons from the police enveloped the governor’s convoy as he made his way to the complex.

“Let them come out and tell Rivers people the offence I have committed to warrant any impeachment,” the governor said outside the assembly complex.

The recent drama comes amid speculations of a rift between Fubara and Nyesom Wike, the immediate past governor of the state and current minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Efforts to reach Boniface Onyedi, Fubara’s spokesperson, were not successful as he did not respond to calls or texts sent to his mobile phone.