Motion To Deny Omehia Former Governor Status Passed by Rivers Assembly

A proposal to decertify Celestine Omehia as the former governor of Rivers State was approved by the House of Assembly of Rivers State.

Martin Amaewmule, the House Leader, proposed the motion to overturn a previous decision of the 8th Assembly from June 30, 2015, which required the Executive Arm, led by Governor Nyesom Wike, to recognize Omehia as a former governor and grant him all rights, privileges, and perks.

The Supreme Court’s 2007 decision to dismiss Celestine Omehia as Governor for not being the legitimately elected candidate in that year’s election, he claimed, would be bridged by the continued recognition of Omehia in that role.

The legislator also provided a copy of the Nigerian Weekly Law Report, which contains the historic ruling that expelled Omehia from office and recognized Rotimi Amaechi as the PDP candidate who was legitimately elected at the time and qualified to hold the position of governor.

He claimed that because the 9th Assembly has more information and details on the aforementioned Supreme Court Judgement, the motion to rescind the former resolution is being made today.

Amaewmule, who is the Obio/Akpor Constituency 1 representative, asked the parliament to approve four prayers.

The prayers are that;

1. The House rescind its earlier resolution that Omehia be recognised.

2. Omehia ceases to use the title “HIS EXCELLENCY”

3. Omehia stops using the acronym “GSSRS”, meaning, Grand Service Star of Rivers State, which is a state honour meant for an incumbent and former Governors alone.

3. Omehia refunds all monitory entitlements received from the Rivers State Government, especially the sum of 600 million naira in benefits and 96.5 million naira in pension he has so far received as at September 2022 from the Rivers State Government within seven days.

4. Any other decisions that the house deemed necessary.

The motion was seconded by the Whip of the House, Evans Bipi.

In a debate, all the lawmakers who made contributions, including the representative of Celestine Omehia’s constituency in Ikwerre Local Government Area, Anselm Oguguo agreed to the prayers.

Some of the lawmakers, however, requested that a specific decision be made on what action to be taken if Celestine Omehia fails to refund the monetary benefits.

After the debate, all 21 members present at the plenary voted in support of the four prayers by the leader of the House.

The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani said the house was right in taking the decision because no law is absolute.

GOGAN TV