A faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, has launched a separate investigation into the October 7 attacks and destruction of local government secretariats across the state.
The move directly counters Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s earlier establishment of a seven-member Judicial Commission of Inquiry to probe the same incident.
The lawmakers’ actions are widely seen as being aligned with the interests of Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, who is in conflict with Governor Fubara.
The crisis in Rivers State escalated in October when violent riots broke out during the handover of newly inaugurated local government chairpersons, leading to the destruction of several council secretariats.
The Speaker, Amaewhule considered loyal to Wike, has directed the House Committee on Public Complaints and Petitions to expedite its investigations into the petitions related to the October 7 disturbances.
He also invoked Section 128 of the 1999 Constitution, which grants the Assembly investigative powers, urging the committee to submit its findings promptly.
In a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Martins Wachukwu, Amaewhule emphasized the importance of the Assembly’s independent inquiry to uncover the truth behind the attacks.
Meanwhile, Governor Fubara has received the report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry he established and has pledged to implement its recommendations through a white paper to prevent future attacks on public infrastructure in Rivers State.
