Factional Speaker’ Ehie quits Rivers House of Assembly

Leader of the group of four Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Ehie Edison, has resigned his membership of the legislative house.

In a letter he personally signed and addressed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Edison said he was resigning as ‘Speaker’ of the House of Assembly.

He also quit his membership of the 10th Rivers House of Assembly representing Ahoada East Constituency II.

Edison was picked by four members as the ‘factional speaker’ in the heat of the crisis that rocked the Assembly.

It was learnt that Edison’s resignation was in line with the Abuja peace pact brokered by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike.

There were strong indications last night that he might be named Chief of Staff to the Governor.

Edison’s notice to INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, was with effect from December 29th, 2023.

Edison declared himself the Speaker same day he was removed as the House leader, following ensuing disagreement between the governor and his predecessor.

His letter of resignation reads: “This is to formally notify you of my voluntary resignation as Speaker and Member of the 10 Rivers State House of Assembly representing Ahoada East Constituency II with effect from the date of this letter.

“I wish to deeply appreciate my colleagues and the people of my Constituency for the rare opportunity to serve and hope to continue to give my utmost best in service to Rivers State subsequently.

“Kindly accept the assurances of my highest esteem at all times.”

A top source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The resignation was part of the implementation of the peace pact between Governor Siminialaye Fubara and his godfather, the Minister of the FCT Nyesom Wike.

“To rehabilitate Edison, he is likely to be made the Chief of Staff to Governor Fubara. In fact, he prefers to hold this strategic position as part of his future political career.”

The dispute between Fubara and the House culminated in bombing the hallowed chamber and issuing an impeachment notice to the governor, who later responded by demolishing the complex of the Assembly in Port Harcourt.

But, the intervention of President Tinubu led to the signing of the eight-point resolution by Fubara and the lawmakers.

As part of the agreement, the lawmakers withdrew their impeachment notice while Fubara paid all their withheld entitlements.

It was gathered that after the peace deal, Edison fought back because the resolutions did not recognise him.

Sources said some promises had been made to Edison, who was seen as the only weak link in permanently resolving the dispute.

He had obtained a court order that recognised him as the Speaker in a case he instituted against the lawmakers.

It was before the Edison-led House of Assembly that the governor presented the state’s 2024 Appropriation Bill, which was passed a day after and signed by Fubara. The peace deal requires him to re-present the Bill to the Amaewhule-led Assembly.

Edison’s resignation was said to have facilitated the process of ending all disputes and fulfilling the other items in the peace document.

SOURCE: THE NATION