On Monday, April 8, former Rivers State Governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, hosted suspended members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for a dinner in the United Kingdom.
This meeting came after Wike had visited some of his political allies in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the previous day, on Sunday, April 7. The gathering in the UK was part of a larger event where the lawmakers were attending a Legislative Capacity Building programme.
Wike’s media aide, Lere Olayinka, shared the details of the meeting through a post on Facebook. Olayinka wrote, “Yesterday, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, hosted Rivers State House of Assembly members who are in the United Kingdom for Legislative Capacity Building, to a dinner. Wike left Nigeria on Sunday night after visiting his political friends and associates in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.”
To recap, the suspended lawmakers were removed by President Bola Tinubu after he declared a state of emergency in Rivers State due to ongoing security issues. Governor Sim Fubara was also suspended for six months because of the political turmoil between him and Wike, which affected the state’s governance.
However, the Supreme Court later ruled that the suspended lawmakers must be reinstated and that Governor Fubara should present the 2024 budget to the Assembly led by Martins Amaewhule. Unfortunately, Fubara’s attempt to present the budget was blocked as the lawmakers prevented him from entering the Assembly complex.
The suspended lawmakers are currently in the UK for the capacity-building programme, aiming to enhance their skills for legislative duties.
