TUESDAY April 8, 2025 |
By thenewsdesk.ng
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Monday hosted a group of suspended Rivers State House of Assembly lawmakers to a dinner in the United Kingdom.
In a video shared on X (formerly Twitter) by Lere Olayinka, Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, it was revealed that the lawmakers were in the UK for a legislative capacity building programme.
Olayinka added that “Wike left Nigeria on Sunday night after visiting his political friends and associates in Port Harcourt, Rivers State”.
A statement last week by Martins Wachukwu, special assistant on media to Martin Amaewhule, speaker of the Rivers assembly, said the UK tour aims to enhance lawmakers’ legislative skills.
Wachukwu said the five-day tour began in Central London, adding that lawmakers viewed it as a chance for peer review and deeper parliamentary insight.
He added that during the opening ceremony, lawmakers expressed optimism that the tour would enhance peer engagement and offer valuable insights to strengthen parliamentary oversight functions.
Rivers state has been embroiled in political crisis stemming from the power struggle between Siminalayi Fubara, governor of the state, and Wike, his predecessor.
The rift led to the polarisation of the Rivers assembly. The faction of the house loyal to Wike is led by Amaewhule.
At the peak of the crisis in 2023, an attempt to impeach the governor resulted in the demolition of the Rivers house of assembly.
On March 18, 2024, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers following the prolonged political crisis in the south-south state.
The president also suspended Fubara, Ngozi Odu, his deputy; and members of the state assembly.
Tinubu nominated Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retired vice-admiral, to administer the state.
