Lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly have warned one of its members –Evans Bapakaye Bipi to desist from impersonating the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Otelemaba Amachree.
The lawmakers made the declaration in a press statement signed by 26 members stating the position of the majority of members on the recent crisis that rocked the Assembly.
The statement chronicled the events leading to the purported impeachment claim by 5 members of the House and urged the public to disregard the false claims.
“The attention of the Rivers State House of Assembly has been drawn to the plethora of stories and conjectures that have constituted the bulk analysis at the public domain on the crisis of Tuesday 9th of July, 2013… the House leadership received a communication from the Executive to amend the Rivers State Appropriation Law 2013. Sequel to this, the House reconvened on the 9th of July, 2013.”
“Following the reconvening of the House on 9th of July, 2013, five members of the Rivers State House of Assembly (Evans Bipi, Okechukwu Michael Chinda, Kelechi Nwogu, Victor Ihunwo and Martins Amaewhule) in alliance with the Rivers State Police Command and their thugs, carried out unprovoked attack and assault on members including the Speaker (Rt. Hon. Otelemaba Dan Amachree), the Leader of the House (Hon. Chidi Lloyd) and Hon. Wanjoku Chikere Azubuike.
Thereafter they made a spirited but unsuccessful attempt to impeach the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly in obvious disregard of the amplifying procedures set out in section 92 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeraia Order 12 and Order 28 of the standing orders of the Rivers State House of Assembly.”
“Since the botched impeachment attempt, one Hon. Evans Bipi has rather surreptitiously impersonated the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly in Defiance and gross violation of the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and has gone ahead to make publications in the national media. We hereby call on the public to disregard the impostor (Hon. Evans Bapakaye Bipi) and his fabricated fallacies which is targeted at misinforming the general public,” the statement read.
The lawmakers explained that the State Assembly acted within its powers when it suspended the Obio/Akpor Local Governmet Council which is believed to be one of the underlying issues fueling the crisis.
“By virtue of the provisions of section 4 sub (6) and (7) (a-c) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999(as amended), the state House of Assembly is vested with legislative powers to make laws for the peace, governance and order of a state. Section 7(1) of the constitution says it is the responsibility of the House of Assembly to make laws for the existence, establishment, composition, structure, finance and functions of Local Councils. Section 100(1-5) further espouses the powers of the Assembly to make laws.
Thus in line with the above provisions the Rivers State House of Assembly enacted the Local Government Law of Rivers State No.2 of 2012. Section 64 sub-section (1)-(4) of the Local Government Law of Rivers State No.2 of 2012 gives the power of suspension of Local Government Council to the Assembly.”
“In compliance with the above provisions, when the question was put on the interim report on the committee on local government on the issue. 23 members voted for the suspension and 5 members voted against.”
They stated that the views of 5 members out of 32 should not be capable of inhibiting the Assembly’s legislative duties.
“In compliance with our legislative duties, we have had cause to vote on motions, bills and resolutions that have impacted positively on the citizens of Rivers state, and if a tiny minority of 5 out of 32 members have dissenting views, that does not impugn on the views of the majority.”
The lawmakers expressed their continued support for the Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Otelemaba Dan Amachree and the Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.
“We shall continue to support our amiable governor Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and his people-friendly policies aimed at lifting our state from the shackles of a small political militia desirous of lording over and looting the treasury of our dear state.”
They also pledged their support and cooperation to the DIG Philemon Leha led fact-finding team sent by the Inspector General of Police as well as the Senate Committee on Local Government fact-finding mission.
They however disregarded a second team of police investigation into the matter. “…We totally dissociate ourselves from the second team of Police Officers led by a commissioner of police and Senator George T. Sekibo.”
The statement called on the Federal Government to ensure that there is peace and security in Rivers State, while the lawmakers assured the people of the state of their commitment to uphold the constitution.
“We reassure our constituents that we shall continue to support and fight for the truth and defend the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which we swore to uphold. We shall remain resolute in our resolve to defend our state from political predators scavenging for cheap popularity and a harvest of political fortunes.”
The statement was signed by Honourables Golden Ngozi Chioma; Innocent B. Barikor; Josiah John Olu; Ibiso Nwuche; Belema Okpokiri; Legbosi Nwidadah; Andrew Anderson Miller; Augustine Ngo; Ben Horsfall; Okechukwu Nwaogu; Victor Amadi; Azubike Chikere Wanjoku; Victoria Nyeche; Benibo Anabraba; Irene Inimgba; Felicia Barizasi-Tane; Aye Atamah Pepple; Onari Brown; Gift Wokocha; Ewor Nname Robinson; Lucky Odili; Chidi Julius Lloyd; Chigbo Eligwe; Leyii Kwanee; Tonye Harry and the Speaker Otelemaba Amachree.