The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Nigeria, Nyesom Wike, has reportedly hosted a group of suspended lawmakers from Rivers State while they are in the United Kingdom.
According to a post on X.com (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday by Lere Olayinka, the minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and social media, the lawmakers are in the UK for what was described as “legislative capacity building” and were treated to a dinner by Mr. Wike.
The post included a photograph of Mr. Wike with the lawmakers. Mr. Olayinka also noted that the minister had travelled to the UK on Sunday night after visiting political associates in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
PUNCH Online newspaper had reported on Sunday that the suspended Rivers State lawmakers, led by the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, had departed Nigeria for a tour in the United Kingdom. Mr. Amaewhule reportedly stated on Friday that the legislative tour would provide an opportunity for the House to gain new insights that would enhance their capacity for future tasks.
The visit of the suspended lawmakers to the UK comes against the backdrop of a declared state of emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu on March 18th. At the same time, the President reportedly suspended the state Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, his Deputy Governor, Prof Ngozi Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. A former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), was also appointed as a sole administrator for an initial period of six months.
These actions followed a period of political crisis in Rivers State, stemming from a reported power struggle between the current Governor, Mr. Fubara, and his predecessor, Mr. Wike, who now serves as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
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