Explosion hits Rivers House of Assembly amidst political turmoil

Explosion hits Rivers House of Assembly amidst political turmoil

On Sunday, an explosion rocked the Rivers State House of Assembly complex, further exacerbating the ongoing political turmoil within the state.

The incident unfolded against the backdrop of alleged efforts by certain lawmakers to initiate the impeachment of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

In a disturbing act, unidentified individuals believed to be arsonists launched an explosive device into the assembly complex at approximately 9:25 pm, triggering a destructive fire within the building.

Despite the unavailability of Grace Iringe-Koko, the spokesperson for the state police command, a senior police official confirmed the occurrence of the incident to Punch Newspaper.

Inside the assembly chamber, several properties were subjected to severe damage due to the fire’s ravaging impact according to the report.

The unnamed police source, citing the sensitive nature of the event, suggested that it was driven by political motivations. The source remarked, “Yes, it is true. The fire occurred around 9:30 pm or so. However, as we speak, the fire has been extinguished by prompt action from firefighters who reached the scene in time. I believe this incident is tied to political disputes.”

Reports suggests that some members of the state legislature had orchestrated a plan to first oust the House leader, Eddison Ehie, as a strategic move to clear the path for Fubara’s potential removal.

House leader Ehie had been perceived as a barrier to efforts aimed at unseating Governor Fubara.

During a visit to the Assembly, an eyewitness noted that the complex had been cordoned off by police and various security personnel. A significant presence of approximately 17 security vehicles and one Armoured Personnel Carrier was established at the entrance and its vicinity. The situation remains tense as the state grapples with the aftermath of this shocking incident amidst a backdrop of political upheaval.

 

In another development, the Majority Leader of Ondo State House of Assembly, Mr. Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi has refuted claims of division within the Assembly.

Reports had emerged suggesting discord among Ondo lawmakers regarding the impeachment proceedings against the deputy governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

 

The impeachment process appeared to face a setback following internal disagreements among Ondo’s legislative members. A total of eleven Assembly members, which included two principal officers, disassociated themselves from a recent letter addressed to the Ondo State Chief Judge, Justice Olusegun Odusola. This letter had requested the formation of a panel to investigate Aiyedatiwa.

The new letter sent to the Chief Judge came approximately a week after an initial declaration by Ondo lawmakers, where they had indicated the discontinuation of impeachment proceedings against the deputy governor. This decision had been made following the intervention of the national leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress in Abuja.

The eleven dissenting lawmakers expressed their shock at the report of the fresh letter to the Chief Judge, reiterating that the Assembly had already abandoned the proposed impeachment of the deputy governor. In a joint statement, they stated, “As members of the 10th Ondo State House of Assembly, we wish to inform the public and the good people of Ondo State that the letter purported to have been written by members of the 10th Assembly…came to us on social media as a rude shock, as the said letter did not emanate from any of the sittings of members of Ondo State House of Assembly.”

However, over the weekend, Majority Leader Ogunmolasuyi maintained that the House remained unified in its resolve to investigate and potentially impeach the deputy governor. The situation remains fluid, with the Assembly grappling with internal tensions amidst the ongoing debate surrounding Aiyedatiwa’s position