Society Gists

Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers, has congratulated Ehie Edison, new speaker of the Rivers state house of assembly.

“Congratulations Mr. Speaker,” Fubara wrote on X. 

Edison was elected speaker on Monday, after a faction of the assembly removed him as house leader, as the plot to impeach Fubara intensified.

Edison’s installation as speaker could imply the postponement of the proverbial ‘evil day’ for Fubara who has said he does not mind dying to stave off his impeachment.

The governor has alleged that he was shot at on Monday and that teargas canisters were aimed at him by police personnel.

Edwin Clark, leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), has blamed Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT) and Fubara’s predecessor, for the governor’s travails.

“I have been greatly disturbed by the reported developments in Rivers state in the last 24 hours,” Clark said.

“I have been reliably informed that there is a plot to unlawfully remove the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Siminalayi Fubara, who has spent only about 5 months in office.

“I understand the sad episode is being orchestrated by the immediate past Governor of Rivers State and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Nyesom Wike.

“And that the intention is to remove the Governor, force his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu to resign, and install the Speaker of the House of Assembly, another Ikwerre person as the governor of the State.

“Let me warn strongly, we won’t allow that to happen!”