Mixed Reactions Trail Rivers Assembly Complex Demolition

The demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex, has been greeted by mixed reactions.

It had been earlier reported that the complex was demolished following a lingering political crisis in the state.

This was as Governor Siminalayi Fubara presented the N800bn 2024 budget estimates to the Edison Ehie-led group at the Government House the same moment the demolition was carried out.

Ehie was recognised by the court as the Speaker of the House while the court restrained Martins Amaewhule from parading himself as the speaker.

The presentation of the budget was held at a hall in the Government House, apparently, due to the “renovation” work at the state assembly complex which started Wednesday morning.

The demolition of the complex was carried out by the state government.

Bulldozers arrived at the Complex around 6am on Wednesday and commenced the demolition exercise about two months after fire gutted the complex.

Reacting on X, Nigerians poured out their thoughts as many opined that it shouldn’t have happened as it was built with taxpayers’ money.

Below are some of such comments:

@DrTambari: “The Governor should have waited until he had won his case at the Supreme Court before commencing the fight against Wike. What if the Supreme Court throws him out?”

@OkereNuel: “Sim 2 wike 1. The home team is leading. Just imagine the state we’re. The stage will pass.”

@longfem: “The Gov got this wrong. Any where majority of the members sit is the assembly complex. Former Governor of Oyo state (Ladoja) was impeached at D’Rovan hotels.”

@donpanacio: “My only problem is that they will still use Tax payers money 💰 to rebuild it!! It is getting to the point that Mr President will declare a state of emergency in River state!! OBJ did same in Jos!”

@NejeebBello: “This is billions of Naira of taxpayers money being destroyed in broad daylight! Later they’ll budget another billions to rebuild the Rivers State House Of Assembly because of 2 men’s ego.”

@imarahoo: “Nigeria … individuals can now decide to demolish “House of Assembly complex” just in a bid to protect their individual political interest. Is this not supposed to be the point where the military springs in to protect the sovereignty of the country ?”

@BhaldEagle: “After destroying this one they will allocate billions to build another one. no matter the crisis going on, diplomacy should be the first and only resort. sometimes i wonder if these men even know their priorities as public office holders.”

DailyTrust reports that this is coming barely 24 hours after a Rivers State High Court recognised Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s loyalist, Ehie as the Speaker of the House pending the determination of the substantial suit before it.

On Monday, the strained relationship between former Governor Nyesome Wike and Fubara worsened when 27 lawmakers in the state Assembly loyal to Wike out of 32 defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).