The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Monday hosted suspended members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to a dinner in the United Kingdom.
This meeting comes on the heels of Wike’s visit to Port Harcourt on Sunday, where he met with close political allies amidst the deepening political tensions in Rivers State.
The development was disclosed by Wike’s media aide, Lere Olayinka, via a Facebook post. According to Olayinka, “Yesterday, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, hosted Rivers State House of Assembly members who are in the United Kingdom for Legislative Capacity Building, to a dinner. Wike left Nigeria on Sunday night after visiting his political friends and associates in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.”
The lawmakers in question were suspended alongside Governor Siminalayi Fubara after President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing rising security concerns.
The political standoff, widely attributed to the power tussle between Wike and Governor Fubara, has led to a breakdown in the state’s legislative operations.
Although the Supreme Court later ordered the reinstatement of the suspended lawmakers and directed Governor Fubara to present the 2024 budget to the Martins Amaewhule-led Assembly, tensions remain high. Fubara’s recent attempt to present the budget was blocked, as lawmakers reportedly barred him from accessing the Assembly complex.
The suspended lawmakers are currently in the UK for a legislative capacity-building programme. Wike’s dinner reception, held during their visit, is seen by observers as a strategic political move amidst the escalating crisis.
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