Security operatives on Tuesday, November 21, took over the entrance to the Rivers State House of Assembly complex providing a cover for the 25 lawmakers opposed to the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to hold their sitting.
It was gathered that the entire stretch of the popular Moscow Road leading to the facility was cordoned off with patrol vehicles including a police Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) stationed in strategic places on the road.
It was gathered that human and vehicular movements were not allowed on the road throughout the duration of the sitting of the lawmakers.
The lawmakers led by their speaker, Martin Amaewhule, were said to have successfully deliberated on two items including the suspension of the strike declared by the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN).
As part of their resolutions, the lawmakers asked the police to investigate the arson in the hallowed chamber and arrest and prosecute the arsonists.
It was gathered that immediately after the sitting, some senior police officers reportedly locked the entrance to the assembly complex and deployed more operatives to man the area.
Another report claimed that the lawmakers loyal to Fubara held their sitting in an undisclosed location in Port Harcourt.
The statement signed by one Ken Uchendu, an Assembly correspondent, said the lawmakers led by the factional speaker, Edison Ehie, passed a vote of confidence on Fubara as part of their resolutions.
They were said to have commended the governor for his developmental strides and security initiatives to keep Rivers peaceful.
They stressed that only a man of great vision and peace could steer the ship of development for the benefit of the people of the state
The lawmakers reportedly resolved to continuously give the governor the required support to accomplish his consolidation and continuity agenda for the benefit of the state.
They were said to have condemned the attack on Ehie’s residence and the burning of the hallowed chamber of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
While appealing to the governor to begin the rehabilitation of the chamber, the lawmakers called on the Inspector-General of police to investigate the arson and bring the culprits to book.
The development was said to have deepened the political crisis, which started in October with the impeachment notice sent to the governor by the Amaewhule-led lawmakers.
There were indications that all the moves to reconcile the gladiators in the crisis had failed especially as Ehie and the police disagreed on his claim that he escaped assassination.
