The Rivers State House of Assembly has refuted claims made by Edison Ehie regarding his purported position as Speaker of the legislative body, asserting that he was never elected to that role.
Responding to Ehie’s resignation letter addressed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the House clarified that the position of Speaker is legally defined and Ehie’s claim was baseless.
In a letter dated January 1st, 2024, the Clerk of the House, Emeka Amadi, dismissed Ehie’s resignation as Speaker and member of the House as “misleading information.” Amadi emphasized that at no point was Ehie elected as Speaker and detailed the lawful election that installed Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule as the Speaker of the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly in June 2023.
Amadi firmly warned against spreading false information, urging the public to disregard Ehie’s claims and calling upon security agencies to maintain the rule of law.
Ehie’s resignation came amid political turmoil in the state, reportedly following interventions by various figures and amidst alleged attempts to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara. Ehie, who had aligned himself with Fubara, alleged threats from powerful individuals in the state.
The State House of Assembly faced further upheaval following the demolition of its premises due to fire damage in October, as reported by the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Joseph Johnson.
The Assembly’s denial of Ehie’s claim stands as a firm assertion of the constitutional process and legal procedures governing the appointment of the Speaker, dismissing Ehie’s alleged tenure as Speaker as unfounded and without legal merit.
