by Mo Hanif
The crisis in Rivers State worsened on Tuesday as the Rivers State House of Assembly abruptly suspended its planned plenary sitting amid growing tension and reports of an alleged plot to impeach the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule.
Sources within the Assembly said the sitting was shelved following intense political manoeuvring and fears that rival factions of lawmakers might exploit the session to initiate impeachment proceedings against the Speaker. Although no formal impeachment notice has been officially served, the rumour alone was sufficient to halt legislative activities.
The Assembly has remained deeply divided in recent months, reflecting the broader political standoff in Rivers State, where lawmakers are split along opposing political loyalties. This division has resulted in repeated disruptions, walkouts and delays in the conduct of legislative business.
Supporters of Speaker Amaewhule have dismissed the impeachment reports as unfounded and politically motivated, insisting that there is no constitutional basis for such a move. However, critics within the House accuse the Speaker of bias and argue that the leadership of the Assembly no longer represents the prevailing political dynamics in the state.
The prolonged stalemate has raised concerns among stakeholders, as the continued paralysis of the Assembly threatens the passage of key bills, effective oversight of government activities and timely consideration of critical state matters.
As of the time of filing this report, the Assembly leadership had yet to announce a new date for plenary, while security presence around the Assembly complex in Port Harcourt was said to have been reinforced to prevent any breakdown of law and order.
Abuja Network News
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