BY VICTOR BUORO – The suspended members of the Rivers State Assembly led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, who are pro-Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, are presently in the United Kingdom for a five-day tour and training programme.
The training, believed to be focused on “Legislative Dynamics in Presidential and Parliamentary Systems,” aimed to enhance their understanding of governance and lawmaking processes.
The programme which kickstarted on Friday, April 4, 2025 in Central London, saw the suspended lawmakers engaged in discussions to improve their legislative skills while Hon Martin Amaewhule on Saturday, led his colleagues on an agricultural excursion in England to gain insights into innovative farming practices.
The lawmakers who were suspended along side Governor Siminalayi Fubara, had welcome the declaration of the State of Emergency in Rivers State and commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the action.
After, the declaration of the State of Emergency, it was gathered that the suspended lawmakers were still occupying the legislative quarters in Port Harcourt.
A statement by Martins Wachukwu, Special Assistant to Speaker Amaewhule on Media, said that the suspended lawmakers are out of the country on a training tour of parts of Europe.
This was just as he said that Principal officers and members of the House, who spoke at the opening ceremony of their training programme expressed optimism that the tour would provide another opportunity for peer review and gainful insights into parliamentary oversight.
The statement said the legislative tour brought to three the number of capacity building programmes organized by the leadership of the House without funding from the Government.
It further said; “These programmes including the present tour which are 100 per cent sponsored by concerned leaders of the state, who have remained supportive of the House despite the prolonged, provocative and unconstitutional non-funding of the House by the suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
“In this regard, the House used the opportunity of the opening ceremony to express immense gratitude to the political leader of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike and other political leaders under the umbrella of the Rivers State Elders Council who have continued to stand by them,” it stated.
Speaker Amaewhule extended appreciation of the House to Rivers people for their confidence in the House and their continued support and assured them of better days ahead. Amaewhule also urged the Rivers’ people to remain peaceful and supportive of the Sole Administrator.
The training of the Rivers State legislators came after President Tinubu declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State and the suspension of Governor Fubara, his deputy and members of the State Assembly stressing the need for peace, and good governance.
