By Seyi Odewale
In what appeared as an unprecedented decision, the Rivers State House of Assembly, yesterday de-recognised Celestine Omehia as a former governor of the state.
The lawmakers, who passed the motion during their sitting, said Omehia was never in the eyes of the law recognised as a governor of the state.
He was, therefore, asked to return within seven days all the monetary entitlements and benefits he got as a governor amounting to N600m.
Omehia was also asked to return about N96.5m received as a pension and would cease to be addressed as His Excellency.
He served as Rivers State Commissioner for Education between February 1992 and November 1993 and was later appointed an adviser to Governor Peter Odili.
He was declared the winner of the Rivers State gubernatorial election of 2007, which was held on April 14, 2007, and was sworn in as governor of the oil-producing state on May 29, 2007, taking over from Odili
On October 25, 2007, the Supreme Court annulled his election and ruled that Rotimi Amaechi, not Omehia, was the PDP’s legitimate candidate.
In October 2009, Omehia asked the Supreme Court to review their position, but the court denied the request.
Wike to sign cancellation of Omehia’s recognition as former Rivers Governor
*Wike to sign cancellation order today
Meanwhile, Rivers State governor Nyesom Wike will today sign the Assembly’s instrument on Omehia’s de-recognition as a former governor of the state.
A statement by the governor’s media aide, Kelvin Ebiri, in Port Harcourt yesterday, said the signing will take place at the Government House, Port Harcourt by noon.
