Chaos as Rivers lawmakers engage in free-for-all
The House invoked a section of the Nigerian constitution.
Following the violence that occurred at the
Rivers State House of Assembly on Tuesday, the House of Representatives has taken over the functions of the Rivers Assembly.
The federal lawmakers took the decision on Wednesday following
debates and approval of a motion and based on section 11, sub section 4
of the 1999 Constitution.
The section states that “At any time when any House of Assembly of a
state is unable to perform its functions by reason of the situation
prevailing in the state, The National Assembly may make such Laws for
the peace, order and good government of that state with respect to
matters on which a House of Assembly may make laws as may appear to the
National Assembly to be necessary or expedient until such time as the
House of Assembly is able to resume its functions; and any such laws
enacted by the National Assembly pursuant to this section shall have
effect as if they were laws enacted by the House of Assembly of the
state.”
Crisis had engulfed the Rivers House of Assembly on Tuesday when five
members out of 32 attempted to impeach the Speaker, Otelemaba Amachree.
The confusion that followed led to violence among the state lawmakers with videos of the violence circulated on social media.
Wednesday’s sitting was chaired by the Deputy Speaker of the House, Emeka Ihedioha
Details later…