>
Akinwande Soji-Ojo
The lingering political crisis in Rivers State assumed another dimesnsion on Wednesday with the demolition of the House of Assembly Complex.
Bulldozers could be seen around the complex on Wednesday morning bringing down Assembly structure.
This is coming barely 24 hours after a Rivers State High Court recognised Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s loyalist, Edison Ehie, as the Speaker of the House pending the determination of the substantial suit before it.
On Monday, the strained relationship between former Governor Nyesome Wike and Fubara worsened when 27 lawmakers loyal to Wike defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
It was gathered that demolition started after the factional Speaker, Ehie, led the three other lawmakers loyal to the governor to hold a sitting early on Wednesday morning.
Ehie, it was learnt, during the session, said the complex was due for repairs following the explosion that rocked the building on October 30, 2023, saying the governor will provide an alternative place for them to sit in the meantime.
The demolition is being done under tight security.