Rivers: Edison Ehie Resigns As Speaker, Member of HoA

The factional Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Edison Ehie, has resigned from his position and membership of the House.

Ehie’s resignation was contained in a letter dated December 29, 2023, and signed by him.

The letter was addressed to the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, Mahmood Yakubu, a copy of which was made available to the PUNCH Online on Sunday.

The speaker’s resignation comes after President Bola Tinubu intervened in the political crisis rocking the state, after which some resolutions were made and signed by the parties involved.

However, the intervention was criticised by elders in the state, noting that Tinubu does not have the power to overrule the decision of a court of competent jurisdiction.

The letter read, “This is to inform you of my voluntary resignation as Speaker and member of the 10th River State House of Assembly representing Ahoada- East Constituency II with effect from the date of this letter (29th, December 2023).

“I wish to deeply appreciate my colleagues and the people of my Constituency for the rare opportunity to serve and hope to continue to give my utmost best in service to River State subsequently.

“Kindly accept the assurance es of my highest esteem at all times.”

Ehie was elected as the speaker by some lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Ehie was the House Leader until he was suspended in October.

However, he later noted that 26 members of the House sat and elected him Speaker.

PUNCH Online reports that the State House of Assembly was demolished as the facility was unfit for legislation following a fire in October according to the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Joseph Johnson.

The incident came amid alleged moves by some lawmakers to impeach Fubara.

Meanwhile, Ehie alleged that some powerful individuals in the state were after him for standing with Fubara and opposing the plot to impeach him.