In the midst of the political turmoil engulfing Rivers State, lawmakers aligned with Governor Siminalayi Fubara made a decisive move on Wednesday, electing Hon. Victor Oko Jumbo as a factional Speaker of the State House of Assembly.
Jumbo’s election comes just 48 hours after Governor Fubara dismissed the legitimacy of the 27 lawmakers who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The political tension escalated as the APC directed its members in the House Assembly, now the majority, to pursue the impeachment of the governor.
Amidst these developments, sources revealed that a group of lawmakers convened on Wednesday and elected Jumbo, a seasoned representative of Bonny Constituency, to lead the Assembly.
Jumbo’s appointment marks the third Speakership under the current administration, succeeding Hon. Edison Ehie and Hon. Martin Amaewhule.
Notably, Amaewhule, an ally of the former Governor and current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, was impeached last year, making room for Edison, who later resigned in December 2023.
Ehie wrote in his resignation letter, “This is to formally notify you of my voluntary resignation as Speaker and Member of the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly representing Ahoada – East Constituency II with effect from the date of this letter.
“I wish to deeply appreciate my colleagues and the people of my Constituency for the rare opportunity to serve and hope to continue to give my utmost best in service to Rivers State subsequently.
“Kindly accept the assurances of my highest esteem at all times.”
However, reports suggest that, Governor Fubara allegedly orchestrated Jumbo’s election to secure his position, fearing Amaewhule’s potential allegiance to Wike could lead to his impeachment.
The political landscape of Rivers State has been rife with conflict, exacerbated by a fire incident in the State House of Assembly in October 2023, amid purported impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara.
In December 2023, President Bola Tinubu intervened, urging the factional Speaker, Edison Ehie, to acknowledge the 27 lawmakers who defected to the APC.
However, the appointment of Jumbo as Speaker during the ongoing power struggle emphasises the volatile nature of Rivers State’s political climate and sets the stage for further confrontations between rival factions in the Assembly