Pursuant to the provisions of Section11 (4) of the 1999 constitution, the National Assembly on Thursday finally took over the functions of the Rivers state House of Assembly.
The decision followed the crisis rocking the Assembly that recently degenerated into serious fracas that led to some lawmakers sustaining serious injuries.
The House of Representatives it will be recalled had earlier passed resolution to take over the functions of the State House of Assembly pending resolution of the crisis..
Presenting its findings, the Senate committee that investigated the crisis rocking the state revealed that the crisis of the state House of Assembly on July 9th, 2013 was the expression of deep rooted political crisis occasioned by the alleged highhandedness of Governor Rotimi Amaechi.
It also noted another strong factor relating to the perceived undue interference of President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Patience in the political of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
In line with the recommendations of the Kabiru Gaya-led committee, the Senate also approved immediate removal of the of the Rivers state Commission of Police Mr. Joseph Mbu. However, Senate President David Mark hastened to add that none of the actors has been indicted.
As confirmed by the First Lady, Patience Jonathan recently, the committee in its report traced the genesis of the trouble in the state to the demolition of some houses and hotels in Okirika, the home town of the first lady Mrs. Jonathan.
In the interest of peace and tranquility in the state, the federal lawmakers enjoined the state lawmakers who are said to be plotting to unseat Governor Amaechi to forget it.
Meanwhile, the leadership of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to intervene in resolving the crisis.
Speaking after audience with the President at the State House, Abuja, on Thursday, the NBA led by its President, Mr. Okey Wali, urged him to use necessary instrument of his office to curb the excesses of politicians whom they accused of already heating up the polity two years ahead of general elections.
“We talked about security. We pointedly talked about Rivers State. We expressed our concern that we were very disturbed about what is coming out from Rivers State.
“We appealed to the President to do all that he can lawfully do to ensure that peace returns to Port Harcourt and; law and order prevails.
“And at all times the principles of the rule of law must be adhered to. We made that clear to the President,” he said.
On 2015, he said, “No, we cannot be talking about that. In fact, our position is that 2015 is still a long way in our judgment. I know we need to be preparing for 2015. But there has been clamour, I think since last year. They just got elected in 2011.
“We have elected them to deliver the dividends of democracy, good governance. We think we should do more of that than politics. So, we didn’t bother to discuss that. It is the other way round. We think they should do what they are elected to do now and worry less about 2015.”
President Jonathan in response agreed that the rising political tension in the country was uncalled; assuring that he would look into the issues raised.
He said, “The political tension in the country is mainly built around the 2015 elections which should not be the case. It is quite disturbing.
“The year 2015 is still far off. I expect politicians to focus on the business of governance now. We must do what we were elected to do first. We will do our best to curb the overheating of the polity,” President Jonathan told the delegation which included three former presidents of the NBA.
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