Rivers State political happenings took a perilous turn on Monday morning with the dismissal of Edison Ehie, the majority leader of the State House of Assembly, and the launch of impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminilayi Fubara by a group of 23 members led by the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule.
Following the explosion and flames that shook the Assembly late Sunday evening, MPs took the decision at an emergency meeting presided over by the Speaker.
The MPs accused the Ehie of being responsible for the complex’s fire. Ehie was alleged to have angered his colleagues by remaining loyal to Governor Fubara.
They accused him of setting fire to the facility in order to prevent the Governor’s impeachment.
According to reports, the 23 legislators to be loyal to Fubara’s predecessor, former governor Nyesom Wike, who had a falling out with his replacement and was looking to depose him.
However, it was learnt that the lawmakers hurriedly abandoned the emergency session entered their vehicles and zoomed off following sporadic gunshots at the at the Assembly.
Fubara later arrived at the Assembly alongside the impeached House leader, Ehie.
Fubara, had also reportedly sacked his Chief of Staff, Chidi Amadi, and the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of Government House, Promise Wosu who were believed to loyalists of Wike.
Amadi was the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the state.
The Governor had also sacked the Government House Camp Commander.
A section of Rivers House of Assembly was razed by raging fire which followed an explosion at the sprawling complex on Sunday night.
Armed policemen drawn from the Rivers Command headquarters situated directly opposite the Assembly were drafted to cordon off the Assembly complex.
The firefighters successfully put the fire under control.
Sketchy reports have it that there was a massive explosion was inside the Legislative Chambers before an uncontrollable fire started.
