The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, hosted suspended members of the Rivers State House of Assembly in the United Kingdom on Monday for a dinner as part of their legislative capacity building tour.
The lawmakers, who are currently in the UK for a legislative tour aimed at improving their skills, were welcomed by Wike, who left Nigeria for the UK after visiting his political associates in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to Wike, confirmed the dinner gathering on Tuesday via a post on X.com. Olayinka shared, “Yesterday, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, hosted Rivers State House of Assembly members who are in the United Kingdom for Legislative Capacity Building, to a dinner.”
The suspended lawmakers, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, left Nigeria earlier for the UK. Amaewhule opened the 10th Rivers Assembly Legislative Tour of the UK on Friday, emphasizing the importance of the trip in enhancing the capacity of the lawmakers to better fulfill their duties back in Nigeria.
He stated that the tour would expose them to international legislative practices and provide insights that would aid in improving governance in Rivers State.
This development comes in the wake of a political crisis in Rivers State, which has seen President Bola Tinubu declare a state of emergency on March 18, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, and members of the state’s House of Assembly.
Tinubu also appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.) as the sole administrator for a six-month term, as part of efforts to address the ongoing political turmoil.
The tensions between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, have only intensified, fueling the crisis in the state. Despite the turmoil, Wike’s decision to host the suspended lawmakers abroad signals his continued influence in the state’s political affairs, even as the power struggle unfolds.
