The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) crisis in Rivers State may have deepened as the State House of Assembly Tuesday suspended the chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Prince Timothy Nsirim, his vice, Solomon Eke along with 17 councillors of the LGA.
Sequel to a petition brought to the State House of Assembly by one Mr. Achionwo who accused OBALGA council boss of reckless spending of council fund and breach of security. The State House of Assembly suspended him and the 17 councillors.
Presenting the motion on the floor of the House Monday, Hon. Lucky Odili a lawmaker representing Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni constituency who is also the House Committee Chairman on Local Government Matters stressed that his Committee has looked at the weight and nature of the petition brought before it and prayed that the House should grant request of the petition.
Hon. Augustine Paul Ngo, a lawmaker representing Abua/Odual Constituency moved the motion for adoption while Hon. Golden Chioma, Etche II Constituency supported the motion as moved by his colleague.
Rt. Hon. Otelemaba Dan Amachree, the speaker of the House while ruling on the matter, put the motion on vote, with 22 members supporting the motion, while 5 members voted against. The Obio/Akpor council chairman, his vice and 17 councillors were suspended from office pending the outcome of the investigation.
It would be recalled that few days ago the federal High Court sitting in Abuja nullified the election of Chief Godpower Ake the former PDP chairman in Rivers State following a petition brought against him by Hon. Felix Obua, alias “Go Round” the former Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government chairman who was also sworn in as the new substantive chairman of the PDP in Rivers State by the PDP National. The court ruling and swearing in of Felix Obua as chairman of the party in the state go down well with most PDP members in the state who were staunch supporters of governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi while the ‘Abuja boys’ of PDP, Felix Obua (Go Round), Dr. Peter Odili and Barr. Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike supporters rejoiced for the victory of their colleagues.
The climax of the development was the petition filed by Chief G. U. Ake and his group to the Appeal Court against the High Court ruling which gave Felix Obua victory, as well as the Rivers State High Court injunction which prevented the newly sworn in PDP chairman in Rivers State from dissolving party structure at 23 LGAs of the state.
Some political pundits who spoke with to The Newswriter on condition of anonymity said the reason behind the suspension of Prince Timothy Nsirim and the 17 councillors was as a result of the state PDP crisis between the present administration led by governor Amaechi and present PDP exco with the Abuja Boys including Barr. Wike and his supporters.
Meanwhile the ACN in Rivers State has condemned the suspension of the Obio/Akpor chairman, his vice and 17 councillors by the Rivers State House of Assembly. In a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Jerry Needam, ACN described the act as undemocratic and immature. ###
Emeka Jilly Ejiowhor
