A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Paul Ananaba, has said the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, did not infringe any laws by visiting the state’s House of Assembly quarters.
Fubara made an unplanned visit to the quarters housing the members of the lawmaking body led by Martin Amaewhule.
This has, however, sparked different reactions as some lawmakers said he had ulterior motives for visiting the state’s house of |Assemby without prior notice.
Despite this, Ananaba argued that Fubara’s visit did not contravene any of the country’s laws.
He stated this on Friday’s edition of Channels Television’s The Morning Brief he said no law stops Fubara from visiting the state’s House of Assembly quarters.
“That facility is a government facility. I don’t know anything in the law that stops the governor from going to visit the residential quarters,” he stated.
Fubara took an unscheduled visit to the Rivers Assembly quarters housing the Martin Amaewhule-led members of the lawmaking body.
Although Fubara’s visit triggered debate among stakeholders with some of the lawmakers claiming Fubara had an ulterior motive for the visit, Ananaba said the Rivers State governor did not violate the country’s laws.
He said, “That facility is a government facility. I don’t know anything in the law that stops the governor from going to visit the residential quarters.”
Amaewhule, who is the speaker of a group of lawmakers, claimed that Fubara’s visit was part of the governor’s scheme to demolish the assembly quarters.
He accused Fubara of flouting a court order, maintaining that the quarters were structurally sound and didn’t require renovation.
Amaewhule added that the governor wasn’t invited for the visit.
Despite Amaewhule’s concerns, Ananaba expressed reassurance.
He stated, “The problem arises when the witch cries in the night and a child dies in the morning; there’s always the suspicion that the witch caused the child’s death.”
“I know that on a good day that [Fubara’s visit] would not have been an issue. The speaker is just entertaining some fears and I am sure the governor will not go to demolish [the structure]. If he demolishes, it is Rivers’ money he would use,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Ananaba attributed the conflict between Fubara and the lawmakers to a lack of political identity.
Following Fubara’s visit, some lawmakers maintained a vigil on the premises, vowing not to rest.
According to reports, some have begun vacating their detached duplexes in fear of demolition.
Later in the day, Amaewhule is scheduled to hold a briefing regarding the situation.
On Thursday, Fubara visited the Assembly Residential Quarters where Martin the Amaewhule led lawmakers sit for legislative business.
Justifying the reason for his visit, the governor said it was to undertake an on-the-spot assessment of the condition of the structures for possible rehabilitation work to restore their status and make them liveable.
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
