The face-off between the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and the 27 lawmakers loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, took a new twist on Friday as armed policemen took over all the entrances to the House of Assembly quarters located along the Aba Road, Port Harcourt, the state capital.
It was found that both the first and second gates to the lawmakers’ estate were safeguarded by about 30 armed policemen, while about 25 patrol vans were used to block the two entrances.
Our correspondent reports that one of the entrances is adjacent to the Mobile Police Force 19 Division, while the other is beside the Port Harcourt office of the National Identification Management Agency.
The development came shortly after the Speaker of the House, Martins Amaewhule, accused Fubara of planning to demolish the legislative quarters following his unannounced visit to the facility on Thursday afternoon.
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Fubara, however, had explained that his visit to the estate was harmless and was to access the building following the emergence of a new Speaker.
“Is the Assembly quarters not part of my property? Is there anything wrong in going to check how things are going on there?
“You are aware of the developments. We have a new Speaker, and I went there to see for myself how things are. There might be a few things I might want to do there for the good of our people,” the governor said.
Our correspondent reports that following the alarm raised by Amaewhule, the anti-Fubara lawmakers, including some chieftains of the All Progressives Congress, had kept vigil around the estate till Friday.
Our correspondent, who visited the facility, observed that armed policemen were seen barricading the two gates to secure the facility.
Meanwhile, a group, the ‘Sim Media Volunteers, at a news briefing in Port Harcourt on Friday, called on the Inspector-General of Police to monitor the activities of policemen in the state and ensure they observe the rules of engagement.
The Convener, Frank Kilsi, who made the call decried the arrest and intimidation of the governor’s supporters by the police, saying the development could lead to anarchy.
Kilsi stated, “We call on the Inspector-General of Police to rein in his men and exercise restraint by stopping the unnecessary attack or wanton arrest on any of the governor’s supporters, as further harassment could lead to anarchy and breakdown of law and order that may not do our state any good.
“We, youths of the state, under the aegis of SIM Media Volunteers, do hereby emphasise the need for peace, justice, and development in Rivers State.
“We implore all relevant stakeholders such as the citizens, political leaders, traditional institutions and law enforcement agencies, to ensure that the rights and freedom of the people are upheld and protected at all times.”
