According to THE SUN, the resolution passed by the pro-Wike group led by Martin Amaewhule, which allegedly forbade Governor Siminalayi Fubara from taking money out of the state’s Consolidated Revenue Fund, was rejected by the factional Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Victor Oko-Jumbo.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
Oko-Jumbo questioned the legitimacy of Amaewhule’s resolution, pointing out that their seats had been declared vacant on December 13, 2023, under the authority of Edison Ehie, then recognized as the Speaker of the Assembly.
Oko-Jumbo highlighted that the Amaewhule faction’s resolution, which declared the Consolidated Revenue Fund closed until the presentation of the 2024 Appropriation Bill, lacked legal standing.
The factional Speaker, Victor Oko-Jumbo, affirmed that according to constitutional provisions and the declaration of the former members’ seats as vacant, the officially recognized 10th Rivers State House of Assembly is the one led by him.
He stated that the Rivers State Government had stopped paying any salaries, allowances, or statutory remunerations to the former members. Oko-Jumbo further explained that his leadership was the only one acknowledged by law and the state government. Consequently, his Assembly had been receiving all the statutory allocations due to the House and fulfilling its financial responsibilities by covering the salaries of the recognized members, their aides, and public servants in the Rivers State House of Assembly.
In his words: “Consequent upon constitutional provisions and the declaration of their seats vacant, the recognised 10th Rivers State House of Assembly is the one led by Rt. Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo. Thus, the Rivers State Government has ceased paying any form of salaries, allowances, or statutory remunerations to the former members.
“The 10th Rivers State House of Assembly, which is the legitimate House under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo, is the only one recognised by law and the Rivers State Government, and thus, has been receiving all statutory allocations due to the House of Assembly. And it has been discharging its financial obligations by paying the salaries of the recognised Honourable members of the House, their aides, and allowances of the public servants in the Rivers State House of Assembly.”CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
