The Former Majority leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Edison Ehie has emerged as the new Speaker of the state Assembly.
The development occurred on Monday, October 30, 2023, amid the crisis rocking the state’s assembly.
Speaking after being appointed, Ehie said he would serve the house to the best of his ability and never betray his colleagues.
Recall that the Rivers Assembly had earlier removed Ehie, over his alleged complicity in the arson attack on the assembly on Sunday night.
Ehie, a strong supporter of Governor Similanayi Fubara, was said to have frustrated the initial attempt to initiate impeachment proceedings against the governor.
Announcing the removal of the majority leader at a sitting on Monday morning, the Speaker, Martins Amaehwule, said Ehie was removed for not attending the assembly sitting and for his alleged complicity in the arson attack on the assembly.
Amaehwule said about 17 members of the House supported the removal of the house leader.
Also, three other lawmakers, Victor Okoh from Bonny, Goodboy Sokari from Ahoada West as well as Adolphus Timothy from Opobo Nkoro were suspended.
However, Governor Siminalayi Fubara stormed the Assembly Complex on Monday morning, while House members fled for safety as tear gas was fired outside the Complex.
He said he cannot be impeached, adding that he has done nothing wrong to warrant such.
Meanwhile, the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Simeon Amadi has been suspended.
