The Rivers State House of Assembly has refuted the claim that Edison Ehie, who recently resigned from the House, was ever elected as the Speaker.
The House asserted that the Speaker position is a creation of the law and maintained that Ehie, who represented Ahoada East Constituency II, was making false claims.
In a letter titled ‘To whom it may concern,’ dated January 1st, 2024, the Clerk of the House, Emeka Amadi, dismissed Ehie’s resignation letter as “misleading information,” stating that Ehie was never elected as the Speaker at any time during the existence of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Amadi called on the public to disregard Ehie’s claims and clarified that the Speaker’s office is defined by the 1999 Constitution.
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The letter emphasized that on June 5, 2023, following the proclamation of the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly, an election was conducted by the acting Clerk, resulting in the unanimous selection of Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule as the Speaker.
Amaewhule has been performing his duties in that capacity since then.
Amadi warned against spreading misleading information about the House and urged security agencies to act in accordance with the rule of law.
The House Clerk’s disclaimer aimed to set the record straight and emphasize the House’s legislative authority.
It is noted that Edison Ehie, a factional Speaker, resigned from his position and House membership amid the political crisis in the state.
His resignation followed the intervention of President Bola Tinubu, leading to resolutions signed by the involved parties.
Ehie claimed to have been elected as the Speaker by 26 members loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The State House of Assembly had faced challenges, including the demolition of its facility due to a fire, allegedly amid moves to impeach Fubara.
Ehie, in his resignation, accused powerful individuals in the state of targeting him for supporting Fubara and opposing the impeachment plot.
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