The member representing Ogu/Bolo state constituency in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Evans Bipi, said in Port Harcourt, the state capital, that there is no truth in media speculation that his group is plotting to impeach Governor Chibuike Amaechi.
Bipi, who is leader of the six anti-Amaechi lawmakers, also denied reports in a section of the media that the recent visit of Dame Patience Jonathan to the state was to perfect plans to commence the impeachment of the governor, pointing out that the First Lady’s visit was a private one.
Reports were rife in the media that the visit of the First Lady to the state was to speed up the impeachment process on the governor. This is just as the PDP lawmakers in the Assembly, with the tacit support of the presidency have not hidden their desire to oust the governor by every means including his possible impeachment by six out of the 31 member state legislature.
But Bipi insisted that he has no reason to plan the governor’s impeachment saying, “What has the governor done that would prompt me to plan his impeachment?
“The only thing I want is for the governor to recognize me as the duly elected speaker of the House. If he recognizes that, then I will also recognize him as my governor, and both of us can continue to work together to move the state to its enviable heights”, he said
Bipi explained that the First Lady has the right to visit her home state as every other person.
“It is wrong and a disservice to the First Lady for anybody to associate her with impeachment of the governor when in reality there is nothing like that” he said.
Information Nigeria reports that Mrs. Jonathan was in the state last Friday to commiserate with the Sekibo family over the death of Chief Tari Sekibo, Chairman of the Ijaw National Council.
On why his group is yet to sign the undertaking provided by the Rivers state Police Command that lawmakers will be of good conduct once the Assembly complex is reopened, Bipi explained that he was yet to be served with a notice to that effect adding that it was important for the Hon Otelemaba Dan Amachree group to sign the peace deal because “they are the real trouble makers.
“Whenever they serve me, I will go with my group and sign the papers for them. But I have not been served yet and I am still waiting for the Police invitation. Maybe, Police know those who are the real trouble makers”.
According to him the interim court order restraining him from parading himself as the speaker of the House was of “no effect”, stating that the order had since expired after seven days of its issuance and right now “I remain as the speaker of the House”.
Bipi further argued that the Ahoada court from where the order was obtained does not have any jurisdiction over the Assembly and more so, he has not been served with the said order.
He was of the view that when every security matter is settled and the pro-Amaechi lawmakers are ready to abide by the rule of the House, they could resume plenary sitting.
The lawmaker expressed worry that the same group – pro-Amaechi – that went to the Speaker of House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal for protection could now serve the Commissioner of Police, Joseph Mbu, an order not to open the complex for normal legislative process.
Six cannot impeach.