2013, Year Of Diversionary Legislation

The famous German psychologist, Zeighan, once said that people are more likely to remember an event, activity, system, period, etc, when there are more interruptions or diversions than when there are none.  Some of these interruptions or diversions, she said, may be pleasant, others may not. But their existence often creates indelible impressions.

Going by her words, Rivers people, Nigerians at large, and indeed the world over, are more likely to remember the State House of Assembly for more reasons order than its primary function of making laws for the good governance of the State in 2013.

The year in the Hallowed Chambers of the House, which commenced in earnest with the passing of the 2013 Appropriation Bill of N490.32 billion into law, soon moved to activities largely dictated by the disagreement between 27 lawmakers, on one side, and the remaining five, on the other side.

The disagreement, widely believed to have started deep into the commencement of the 7th Assembly in 2011 under the Speakership of Rt. Hon. Otelemaba Dan-Amachree, climaxed in the infamous July 9 fracas on the floor of the House, leaving some legislators fatally injured in its wake.

It is noteworthy that in spite of the problem, the Speaker’s team was able to move a motion to invite the Deputy Governor, Engr. Tele Ikuru, to come in and present the matter of the day, which was a bill on Supplementary Budget.

The motion was moved by Robinson Ewor (Ahoada East Constituency), seconded by Deputy Whip, Irene Inimgba (PHALGA 11), and was passed with unanimous votes.

THE LAW SUITS

The anarchy that reigned on July 9 spilled over to July 10. It was followed by various lawsuits. Almost by the day, Attorneys, representing the lawmakers either individually or as a group, filed suits on behalf of their clients. If the suit is not about one form of restrain or the other, it will be seeking for one form of recognition/non-recognition or the other.

In the midst of the suits and counter suits, the cynosure turned out to be the one against the Leader of the House, Hon. Chidi Lloyd, who was, among other allegations, accused of attempted murder in the heat of passion during the July 9 fracas.   The climax of the lawsuits melodrama was the release on bail of Hon. Lloyd.

NASS INTER-VENTION

The events of July 9, in the Rivers State House of Assembly, raised salient questions regarding the neutrality of the State Police Command   in the crisis. Beyond this, it also raised questions as to the ability and willingness of the Police to work together with the State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi as the Chief Security Officer of the State.

This was sequel to the alleged compliance of the Police in aiding and abetting five legislators led by Hon. Evans Bapakaye Bipi, who sought to illegally impeach the incumbent Speaker, Rt. Hon. Dan-Amachree.

Following the state of uneasy calm in the affairs of the Assembly, the National Assembly, NASS, declared taking over the functions of the Rivers State House of Assembly till further notice. This decision augured well with various interested parties as it momentarily put paid to the then imminent chaos.

In November, a High Court in Abuja revoked the stand of the National Assembly, declaring that it has no power to take over the functions of the Rivers State House of Assembly, or any other Assembly in the country.

TONYE HARRY’S DEMISE

While the Assembly was on its circumstance-imposed compulsory leave, it lost one of its greatest lawmakers and former Speaker, Rt. Hon. Tonye Ezekiel Willie-Harry on October 4, 2013.

The Rivers State Government, his colleagues in the Rivers State House of Assembly, lawmakers at the National Assembly, members of the Upper and Lower Houses of Assembly of the United Kingdom, representatives of other groups and associations the lat Harry belonged, both within and outside the country, well-wishers and friends took time off to give Tonye, widely regarded as a legislative icon, a befitting burial.

POST NASS INTERVENTION

The declaration of the Abuja court on the incompetence of the National Assembly to take over the functions of the Rivers State House of Assembly re-awakened another phase of the crisis in the Assembly. It was between the now 26 acclaimed pro-Governor Amaechi legislators and the five alleged deviant legislators, led by the widely believed self-acclaimed Speaker of the Assembly, Hon. Evans B. Bipi.

An attempt by the incumbent Speaker, represented by the Deputy Speaker, Hon.  Leyii Kwanee to hold a plenary following the Abuja High Court declaration was foiled by the Police when it threw teargas and shot guns widely to disperse the lawmakers, who they (Police) denied access into the premises of the Assembly.

Meanwhile, the status quo has remained, with the authority of the State Police Command insisting that no legislative activity will take place in the Rivers State House of Assembly until it is furnished with necessary documents regarding  the authentic Speaker of the House, who will be allowed to officially convene a plenary.