The last may not have been heard on the crisis that engulfed the Rivers State House of Assembly, as it has disowned the former factional speaker, Edison Ehie.
Although Ehie has resigned his membership of the House and been appointed as Chief of Staff by Governor Sim Fubara, the House insisted that he was never elected its Speaker.
The House added that Ehie, who was the member representing Ahoada East Constituency II, was only claiming what he is not since the office of the Speaker of the Assembly is a creation of the law.
Emeka Amadi, the Clerk of the House, stated in a letter, titled: ‘To Whom It May Concern,’ dated January 1, 2024, reacting to the Letter of Resignation as Speaker and membership of the House written and signed by Ehie himself and addressed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He said Ehie’s letter was “misleading information,” because he was never elected a speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
“The attention of the Rivers State House of Assembly has been drawn to a letter dated 29 December 2023, addressed to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission and circulating in the media,” the letter read.
“It was purportedly written and signed by Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie, member representing Ahoada East Constituency II in the Rivers State of Assembly wherein he claimed to have resigned from the position of the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, an office he never occupied.
“I am, therefore, directed to call on the good people of Rivers State to disregard the false claim in this letter that is intended to mislead the unsuspecting public. Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie was never at any time in the life of the Rivers State House of Assembly elected a Speaker.
“The Office of the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly is a creation of the 1999 Constitution (as altered) and should not be ridiculed by any member who swore to preserve it and abide by the Constitution.
“As a matter of fact, on Monday, the 5° day of June 2023, after the proclamation of the 10° Rivers State House of Assembly by the Governor, and in line with Section 92 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (As altered).
“I, as the then acting Clerk of the House, conducted the election that produced Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule, DSSRS, as the Speaker of the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly by the unanimous votes of all other thirty-one (31) members sitting and present.”
“It is also imperative to state that, from the 5th day of June 2023, when he was elected till today,” Amaewhule “has been performing his duties as the Speaker.”
Amadi warned “all purveyors of misleading information against the House to desist forthwith and also call on security agencies” to act to ensure the rule of law.
“This disclaimer is therefore intended to set the records straight and for the avoidance of doubt from the public that the House is empowered to legislate for.
“The Public is implored to take note accordingly.”
