Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has mandated the temporary relocation of the Rivers State House of Assembly to the Auditorium, Administrative Block of the Government House, Port Harcourt. This directive was issued through the state’s official Gazette, Executive Order 001-2023, in response to safety concerns following a fire at the Assembly complex.
The Executive Order details that on October 29, 2023, a fire, caused by unidentified individuals, severely damaged the chambers of the Rivers State House of Assembly, rendering it unsafe and posing a significant threat to the lives of both staff and legislators.
As per the order, Governor Fubara stated, “That the Hallowed Chamber of the Rivers State House of Assembly in its present state is unsafe and constitutes a threat to the lives of the staff and the Honourable members of Rivers State House of Assembly and thus not conducive for the business and proceedings of the Rivers State House of Assembly.”
Further clarifying the necessity of the move, the order explains, “That it is expedient to carry out urgent repairs, renovation, and reconstruction of the burnt and damaged chambers of the Rivers State House of Assembly. That it is further reasonable to ensure that the business and proceedings of the Rivers State House of Assembly are not impeded and frustrated.”
In light of these circumstances, Governor Fubara decreed, “NOW THEREFORE, I SIR SIMINALAYI FUBARA GSSRS, the Governor of Rivers State this 30th day of October 2023, Pursuant to the powers vested in me under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) hereby ISSUE, ORDER, AND DIRECT that all proceedings and business of Rivers State House of Assembly shall temporarily take place at the Auditorium, Admin Block, Government House, Port Harcourt until the repairs, renovation or reconstruction of the chambers of the Rivers State House of Assembly are completed.”
This move comes shortly after a Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt granted an interim injunction that restrained pro-Wike speaker Martin Amaewhule and 24 other members from parading themselves as legislators. The legal challenge was initiated by Victor Oko Jumbo, a pro-Fubara speaker, and three others. This sequence of events underscores the ongoing political dynamics and legal disputes shaping the governance of Rivers State.