The state police command has said it is on top of the security situations that occurred at the Rivers state complex on Monday.
The Spokesperson of the Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko in a statement said a full-scale investigation has been launched into yesterday’s fire incident at the state House of Assembly.
SP Iringe-Koko said the police will take immediate action against anyone found wanting.
SP. Grace Iringe-Koko, Rivers state Police Command
This statement by the police came as a result of the threatening political battle that engulfed the state as a result of the recent face-off between Rivers State Governor and Nyesom Wike the FCT Minister and the immediate past Governor of the state.
Meanwhile, the major players in the Rivers political battle, Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the FCT Minister who is the immediate past governor of Rivers state met today met at the presidential villa in Abuja for Nigeria Police Council meeting that held in the early hours of the day.
Though, their meeting was not actually on the ongoing battle between the two and their loyalists which has torn the state in two and which has set the state on fire, but they were both part of the Nigeria Police Council. Their meeting comes a day after the Rivers State House of Assembly’s impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara.
Governor Fubara, the FCT Minister, and other state governors are at the Villa for a meeting of the Nigeria Police Council, a body that oversees the organisation and administration of the Nigeria Police Force. The Council is made up of state governors, the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, and the Inspector-General of Police, and is chaired by President Bola Tinubu.
Though the meeting has nothing to do directly with the battle in Rivers state, it is hoped that attendees of the meeting will use the opportunity to wade into the war between the two close associates turned sworn enemies. Especially, as the battle has become a threat to not just Rivers State, but the country as a whole.
It will be recalled that the battle started with the reported attempt of the state assembly to impeach Fubara as Governor. This reportedly came as a result of the face-off Fubara had with his former boss, Nyesom Wike and which immediately spread like a wild fire in dry season to all quarters of the state government machinery and especially, the state assembly as they take sides along their line of loyalty. In the wake of the battle, the divided state assembly begins move to outdo each other. It was in the middle of this that the state assembly complex caught fire.
Rivers State Assembly Complex
Though, the former Majority leader, Edison Ehin who was loyal to Governor was fingered as the master-minder of the fire as the fire incident was described by some people in government as an arson attack by the Majority Leader of the House to prevent the impeachment of the governor. As a result, Edie was removed as the Majority Leader of the Assembly on Monday morning.
However, the assembly after the removal of former majority leader announced that he has emerged as the new speaker of the assembly. His emergence reportedly came through after a 26 member plenary session elected him as speaker.
Consequently, Edison Ehie swiftly made announcement on the suspension of some members of the assembly who was claimed to have fallen short oof the principles the assembly upholds.
In the release after he emerged speaker, Ehie said, “I hope this message finds you in good health and high spirits. Today, I stand before you as the newly elected Speaker of the 10th Assembly of Rivers State House of Assembly, humbled by the trust you have placed in me to lead our great state.
“It is with a heavy heart and a deep sense of responsibility that I address you regarding recent events in our esteemed Assembly. As your chosen representatives, we have a sacred duty to uphold the values of integrity, accountability, and dedication to public service.
“Regrettably, it has come to my attention that some members of our Assembly have fallen short of these principles. In light of their actions, which undermine the trust and faith you have bestowed upon us, I have taken the difficult decision to suspend the defaulted members from their legislative duties”.
Meanwhile, when the Governor received the report of the fire breakout at the assembly complex on Monday 30th October and he decided to sight the complex. But, the level of the battle was so vast that the governor was been shot at with gun and tear gas by some police officers.
