Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), met with suspended members of the Rivers State House of Assembly on Monday, hosting them for dinner in the United Kingdom.
This follows his earlier meeting with political allies in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State, on Sunday.
The event was confirmed by Wike’s media aide, Lere Olayinka, who shared the update on Facebook, stating: “Yesterday, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, hosted Rivers State House of Assembly members who are in the UK for Legislative Capacity Building, to a dinner. Wike left Nigeria on Sunday night after visiting his political friends and associates in Port Harcourt.”
The lawmakers were suspended by President Bola Tinubu after he declared a state of emergency in Rivers State over security concerns. Governor Sim Fubara was also suspended for six months amid the political conflict between him and Wike.
This ongoing crisis has disrupted the political structure in the state, affecting the lawmakers as well. The Supreme Court later intervened, ruling for the reinstatement of the lawmakers and ordering Governor Fubara to present the 2024 budget before the Assembly led by Martins Amaewhule.
However, Fubara’s attempt to present the budget was blocked when the lawmakers refused him entry to the Assembly complex.
The suspended lawmakers are currently in the UK for a legislative capacity-building programme.
