THE Peoples Democratic Party in Rivers State has accused the State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, of planning to move the State House of Assembly to the Government House in Port Harcourt.
The State House of Assembly complex has been under lock since July 9, 2013 after a free-for-all among lawmakers.
Both anti and pro-Amaechi lawmakers have not been able to hold plenary in the House as the State Police Command continue to give different conditions for the reopening of the Assembly complex.
But in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media to the State PDP Chairman, Mr. Jerry Needam, on Sunday the party claimed that Amaechi was planning to facilitate the siting at of the lawmakers at the Government House.
This aim, according to the party, is for the lawmakers to consider the 2014 Appropriation Bill and a motion to reject recommendations of the National Judicial Council on the appointment of a substantive Chief Judge for the state.
It pointed out that the alleged directive of the governor that the State House of Assembly should be moved to the Government House on the pretext that the complex was undergoing repair and not conducive for legislative work should be disregarded.
The party said, “The attention of the Rivers State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has been drawn to a directive by the State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, directing few members of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to him to move the Rivers State House of Assembly to the Government House, Port Harcourt.
“The Governor also directed few lawmakers loyal to him, to commence sitting at Government House, Port Harcourt, and consider the 2014 appropriation bill and a motion to reject recommendations of the National Judicial Council on the appointment of a substantive Chief Judge of Rivers State, amongst others.
“The directive by Governor Rotimi Amaechi to move the State House of Assembly under the pretext that repair works are still ongoing and it is not conducive for legislative businesses should be ignored and disregarded.”
Reacting, the Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, Chief Tony Okocha, described PDP’s claim as a blatant lie and a figment of the party’s imagination.
Explaining that the governor had no such plan, Okocha said the PDP crisis was not only political, but psychological.
“It is a blatant lie and a figment of PDP’s wicked imagination. I don’t know why they (PDP) relish in mischief. There is no such plan by the governor.
“The crisis affecting the PDP is not only political, the party also has mental crisis because some of its members have continued to reason along the absurd,” Okocha added.
Source: Punch
