By Olusegun Olanrewaju
There was uproar in Rivers State yesterday following moves by the state House of Assembly to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Suspected thugs invaded the Assembly and burnt sections of the edifice.
The matter later escalated to an emergency closed-door meeting between the elders of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State and Governor Siminalayi Fubara, as a trouble-shooting measure last night.
Fingers were pointed that the bombing attempt was to stave off the lawmakers from impeaching the Governor.
Trouble started on Sunday evening when the hallowed chamber of the House of Assembly was bombed by suspected thugs.
•Camps emerge, lay claim to House leadership
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Earlier, 24 of the 32 members of the House led by the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, who represents Obio-Akpo Constituency 1, had gained access to the complex at about 8am and held their plenary.
The lawmakers had first removed the Majority Leader of the House, Edinson Ehie, and suspended four other lawmakers, whom they accused of being the brains behind the blast.
However, it was learnt that the lawmakers hurriedly abandoned the emergency session, entered their vehicles, and zoomed off following sporadic gunshots at the Assembly.
In a counter move, eight members of the Assembly, loyal to Fubara allegedly impeached the Speaker, Amaewhule, and his deputy, Dumle Maol.
They also announced the ‘suspension’ of the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Samuel Amadi, and directed the governor to appoint an Acting Chief Judge for the state.
The lawmakers, who sat in one of the buildings at the Government House, Port Harcourt, elected the impeached Majority Leader, Ehie, as the new Speaker.
Governor Fubara later arrived at the Assembly alongside the impeached House Leader, Ehie.
The Governor was reported to have sacked his Chief of Staff, Chidi Amadi, and the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of Government House, Promise Wosu.
Following the fire ignited by the explosion at the sprawling Assembly complex, armed policemen drawn from the Rivers State Police Command headquarters situated directly opposite the Assembly were drafted to cordon off the Assembly complex.
Firefighters successfully put the fire under control.
Commotion, however, ensued as teargas canisters were thrown at the protesters.
After inspecting the damage done by the fire, Fubara described the development as unfortunate, saying he was aware of the plot to impeach him.
The governor alleged that the security operatives had been compromised.
•PDP elders, governor in a closed-door meeting
Meanwhile, the elders of the PDP in Rivers State met with Governor Fubara in closed doors over peace.
The persons at the meeting include Elder Ferdinand Alabaraba, leader of PDP Elders Forum, Chief Sergeant Awuse, the Chairman of Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, OCJ Okocha, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, and Bro Felix Obuah, the Campaign Director of PDP/Fubara for the 2023 election.
The meeting was held at the residence of the governor in Government House, Port Harcourt.
Although the purpose of the meeting was not disclosed, a source said the elders were in Government House to intervene in the ensuing crisis in the state.
