Police flood Rivers Assembly complex, factional lawmakers hold separate sittings

The police again took over the complex of the Rivers State House of Assembly on Tuesday.

This came as members loyal to both factional Speakers held separate sittings at different locations.

Four police patrol vans were sighted at the entrance of the assembly complex, while the movement of people and vehicles along the Moscow Road area of the assembly were restricted.

Also, an Armoured Personnel Carrier was seen moving from one end to the other on the road where the complex is located, while scores of armed operatives mounted strategic locations.

The reason for the security beef-up could not be immediately ascertained, but some lawmakers sat on Tuesday.

The lawmakers reportedly deliberated on two items concerning the suspension of the strike by the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria.

They also called on the State Commissioner for Police, Olatunji Disu, to investigate the explosion at the Assembly which razed the hallowed Chamber and destroyed property.

Also, the other lawmakers led by factional Speaker, Edison Ehie, passed a vote of confidence on Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Rising from a sitting on Tuesday, they commended the governor on his developmental strides and security initiatives to keep the state peaceful.

Ehie, in a statement signed by legislative aide, Ken Uchendu, said “it takes a man of vision to steer the ship of development for the benefit of the people of the state.”

The faction resolved to continuously give the governor the required support to accomplish his consolidation and continuity agenda to benefit the State.

The lawmaker also condemned the attack on Ehie’s residence on Sunday night, as well as the burning of the House of Assembly.

The lawmakers appealed to the governor to commence the rehabilitation works as soon as possible.

“Furthermore, the house impressed on the need for the Inspector General of Police, and other related security apparatus of the state to investigate these attacks and bring the culprits to book,” the statement read.