Amaechi,PDP Trade Words Over Purported Attempt To Relocate Assembly

 

THE Peoples Democratic Party in Rivers State has accused Governor 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 shut 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  Rivers State Police Command continued to give conditions for the reopening of the Assembly complex.

But in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media to the PDP Chairman in the state, Mr. Jerry Needam, the party claimed that Amaechi was planning to commence siting of the lawmakers inside the Government House.

The 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 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 Government House, Port Harcourt.

“The Governor also directed few law makers 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 repairs are still ongoing and that 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.

Okocha said,”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.”