The lingering crisis in Rivers State between Governor Sim Fubara and FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike took new turns yesterday with the emergence of Hon. Victor Jumbo, the lawmaker representing the Bonny constituency as the factional speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Hon. Victor Jumbo was elected on Wednesday by the two other lawmakers loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara. The selection of the new Speaker ostensibly took place inside the government house complex.
Shortly after his ‘election’, Hon. Jumbo said he had directed the clerk of the house to inform the Governor that a new leadership had been elected in the Rivers State House of Assembly. He also expressed readiness to work for the people of the state.
The Rivers assembly has 32 seats with 30 active occupants following the demise of one of the lawmakers, Dinebari Loolo who died in September 2023 and the resignation of former factional speaker, Ehie Edison who left the Assembly to take up appointment as the Chief of Staff to Governor Fubara.
The Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule-led Assembly has 27 members in their fold who remain loyal to the FCT Minister and former governor of the state, Nyesom Wike. The 27 lawmakers had earlier defected from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressive Congress (APC).
The Assembly loyal to Wike has been having a running battle since the peace deal brokered by President Bola Tinubu. They have passed several bills that the Governor vetoed. In response, the lawmakers have used their majority numbers to override the veto and pass the bills into law.
On Monday, Governor Fubara remarked that the lawmakers do not exist as their existence is based on his recognition when he decided to “give them a floating” through a peace deal initiated by President Bola Tinubu.