Uncertainty Traces Rivers Lawmakers’ Move to Rebuilt Assembly Complex

The reconstructed Rivers State House of Assembly Complex is approaching completion and could be inaugurated soon, but uncertainty remains over whether lawmakers will relocate from their temporary quarters.

A government official confirmed that the facility is almost ready, though no official statement has been made regarding a handover date.

The Assembly has been sitting at its residential quarters along Aba Road, Port Harcourt, since the political crisis that engulfed the state nearly two years ago. The former complex along Moscow Road was bombed by unidentified individuals at the height of tensions between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The crisis, which also involved an attempted impeachment of the governor by lawmakers loyal to Wike, stemmed from a power struggle over control of the state’s political structure.

Governor Fubara began reconstruction of the new Assembly complex about two years ago and had earlier indicated plans to present the state budget there. However, the Assembly, following the defection of 17 members to the All Progressives Congress, resolved to continue sittings at the temporary quarters.

The motion for reaffirmation was moved by the Deputy Majority Leader, who cited constitutional provisions empowering the legislature to regulate its own proceedings. The Speaker supported the move, stating that an assembly is defined by its members, not its building.

The governor’s spokesman said the complex is almost ready and that the government would speak officially on it soon. But the Chairman of the House Committee on Information and Petition said he could not confirm readiness, noting a difference between being “almost ready” and truly ready.