Few hours after a court order prohibited 25 lawmakers from parading themselves as members of the Rivers State House Of Assembly (RSHA), an official gazette relocating the sitting of the lawmaking arm to the government house has surfaced online.
The executive order, dated December 14, 2023 and marked RVSG 001-2023 by Governor Similanyi Fubara, said the temporary relocation became necessary because the assembly complex gutted by fire last year is now unsafe for inhabitants.
The latest development comes as the governor and the legislators renewed hostilities after a peace deal spearheaded by President Bola Tinubu appears to have collapsed.
“The On the 29th day of October 2023, a fire incident occasioned by unknown persons burnt and damaged the hallowed chambers of the Rivers State House of Assembly,” the gazette reads.
“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 proceeding of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
“That it is expedient to carry out urgent repairs, renovation, and reconstruction of the burnt an 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.
“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.”
