Rivers State Crisis Deepens As Assembly Gets New Speaker Loyal To Gov Fubara

Rivers State Crisis Deepens As Assembly Gets New Speaker Loyal To Gov Fubara

In a stunning turn of events, Hon. Victor Oko Jumbo, representing Bonny Constituency, has been elected as the new Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly by lawmakers loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara. This move has further escalated the ongoing leadership crisis in the state assembly, leading to the breakdown of the peace deal previously brokered by President Bola Tinubu.

Hon. Jumbo, sworn in on Wednesday amidst controversy, expressed his commitment to collaborating with Governor Fubara and reaching out to the executive branch. This development comes in the wake of the decision by some lawmakers to switch allegiance from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), causing Governor Fubara to discredit the legitimacy of the existing House led by Hon. Martin Amaewhule.

Governor Fubara’s stance is clear as he refuses to acknowledge the Amaewhule-led Assembly, declaring, “Those group of men who claim that they are assembly members, they are not existing.” He emphasized that their activities were permitted temporarily for the sake of peace but took a firm stand against their legitimacy.

With the emergence of a new factional Speaker challenging the existing leadership, the political landscape in Rivers State remains turbulent, raising questions about the future governance and stability of the region. The power struggle between the different factions has now intensified, leaving the state assembly in a state of uncertainty and discord.