Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly
…Warns Fubara Of Danger Parading Unscreened Commissioners
By Eric Moore
THE 10th Rivers State House of Assembly in has summoned the Chairman and Commissioners of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to appear before it in 24 hours for questioning.
Also, the House resolved to communicate to Governor Siminalayi Fubara on the danger or legal implications of parading some commissioners and members of some agencies and commissions who were not screened and cleared by the 10th of Assembly before appointments with their names published.
The House took the resolutions on Wednesday, to RSIEC chairman, Justice Adolphus Enebeli (retd) for questioning bordering on the conduct of his office, particularly concerning the nullified Local Government Council elections.
The letter, which was signed by Clerk of the House, Emeka Amadi, noted that RSIEC chairman conducted the October 5, 2024 council elections in defiance a of subsisting an order of a High Court.
Amadi stated: “Consequently, in exercise of the powers of oversights or to conduct investigations vested in the Rivers State House of Assembly as enshrined in Section 128 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, I am directed to invite you and all the commissioners of the Commission. to appear before the House on Friday, 7th March, 2025.
“As already stated, you are requested to honour this summons with all your commissioners and relevant documents empowering you to spend any fund of the commission without an Appropriation Law from January 1, 2024 to date.
“Please, be informed that failure to honour the summons would leave the House with no option, but to issue warrant of arrest or invoke its powers as enshrined in Section 129 of the Constitution.”
The summons came even as the RSIEC chairman at stakeholders’ meeting on Wednesday, announced August 9 this year for the conduct of fresh LGA elections.
Meanwhile, Justice Enebeli (retd) has replied the House of Assembly through his counsel, faulting the number of days given to him to appear before the lawmakers.