Wike meets suspended Rivers Assembly members in UK

Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and former governor of River State, on Monday met with the suspended members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Wike hosted the suspended lawmakers for a dinner in the United Kingdom (UK).

This followed his earlier meeting with some of his political allies in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, on Sunday.

The meeting was made public by Lere Olayinka, Wike’s media aide, via his Facebook page.

According to Olayinka: “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.”

The Rivers State lawmakers were suspended by President Bola Tinubu after declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State due to security concerns. Governor Sim Fubara was also suspended for six months. The emergency rule stemmed from the ongoing political impasse between Wike and Fubara.

The crisis had affected the lawmakers and the entire political structure in Rivers State.

The Supreme Court later intervened, ordering the reinstatement of the lawmakers and directing Governor Fubara to present the 2024 budget before the Martins Amaewhule-led Assembly.

However, Fubara’s attempt to present the budget was thwarted as the lawmakers barred him from accessing the Assembly complex.

The suspended lawmakers are currently in the UK for a legislative capacity-building programme.