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…Vow to defend mandate
From Tony John, Port Harcourt
Members of the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly have vowed to defend their mandate and that of President Bola Tinubu.
The lawmakers also declared that they have the mandate of the Rivers people and swore an oath of allegiance to the Constitution to do the needful, including the impeachment of the governor as a last resort, alleging misconduct of the state governor.
Briefing journalists in Port Harcourt yesterday, the 27 legislators who have been having a faceoff with Governor Siminialayi Fubara emphasized that all plots and threats against the 10th Assembly will fail.
The Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, stated that after the House of Assembly hurriedly withdrew its earlier impeachment notice served on the governor based on the intervention of President Tinubu, they have not seen any change on the side of the governor.
They maintained that some members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, who vehemently opposed the candidatures of Tinubu and Fubara, have turned round to sing their praises for selfish interests.
In a statement signed by 27 legislators, the House said: “We thank you all for finding time for this press conference which is intended to address some issues that have arisen in the last few months, so we can set the records straight where necessary.
“We begin by announcing to you that sponsored attacks on the House has failed woefully. Enemies of the people and those who cannot withstand the principles of the rule of law, as well as checks and balances in our nascent democracy, in their frustration, started with the burning and later demolition of the hallowed chamber. Their plan is to eliminate the legislature that is pushing for the independence granted her by the Constitution since they cannot exercise undue control over her.
“We survived these attacks. Their new strategy is to use another arm of government, lobbyists, attack dogs and the mainstream and social media to bring the House to disrepute and consummate their agenda. In this regard, various individuals, groups, media mercenaries have been recruited to actualize their objectives.
“The latest of the new groups recruited against the 10th Assembly is the former Rivers State PDP Presidential Campaign Council. In a press conference on the 26th of March 2024 signed by Dr Abiye Sekibo, this group inferred that the House is an illegal and unconstitutional Assembly.
