By Deborah Nnamdi
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, hosted a group of suspended lawmakers from the Rivers State House of Assembly in the United Kingdom on Monday.
In a post shared by Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, it was revealed that the lawmakers, who are currently in the UK for a “legislative capacity building” program, were treated to a dinner by the minister.
“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,” Olayinka shared on X.com.
The suspended lawmakers, headed by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, are currently in the UK for a legislative tour. Amaewhule is said to have launched the 10th Rivers Assembly Legislative Tour last Friday, emphasizing that the trip would provide members with exposure to global legislative practices and improve their effectiveness.
This development comes after President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State on March 18. The president also suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Prof. Ngozi Odu, and members of the House of Assembly.
Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), former Chief of Naval Staff, was appointed as the state’s sole administrator for an initial six-month term.
The crisis in Rivers State is believed to be a result of a power struggle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Wike.