Rivers State Governor, Siminilayi Fubara on Wednesday obtained an interim order from a High Court in Isiokpo Division, Ikwerre Local Government Area, restraining the Rivers State House of Assembly and Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, from removing him from office
The Governor filed the ex parte motion through his counsel, Damian Okoro (SAN).
The restraining order was also served on the Deputy Speaker, Dumle Maol, the Clerk of the House, and the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi.
Justice Ben Whyte gave the order in response to a suit brought against the defendants.
He ordered the parties to maintain the status quo until the determination of the Motion on Notice, which was fixed for November 14th, 2023 .
On Monday, reports of an alleged plot to impeach the governor made the rounds with the House of Assembly complex coming under heavy bombardment the previous night( Sunday).
Consequently, there was a barrage of impeachments,one reportedly removing the majority leader, Edison Ehie and second, the speaker of the House,Martins Amaewhule.
The same day, elders of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP met with the governor to resolve the issue,a situation they replicated in Abuja before the Minister of Federal Capital Territory FCT Nyesom Wike.
Also, President Bola Tinubu intervened during a meeting in Abuja on Tuesday and the impression was that a resolution had been reached..The governor also admitted today before his guests, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa and some military officers that the issue was between father and son.
The court order has generated reactions from some Port Harcourt residents.
A party faithful who spoke to current matters on the condition of anonymity said the “court Injunction speaks volumes”
According to him, “it was the only way the governor could stop any threat of removing him from office”.
The party man however expressed dismay over what was happening saying” it is too early in the day to have a divided house “but expressed optimism that it would be resolved.
Another resident said the governor should not have gone to court knowing full well that the matter is being handled by the party.
” I didn’t expect that Gov. Fubara would take this part. After all,he said Wike is his Father
So,why did he not exploit all avenues to peace before embarking on this court journey?
” This fight doesn’t look like anything that should be over soon”
” Let them know that when two elephants fight, it is the ground that suffers. Let them consider the ordinary people of the state ” he added
