Governor Simi Fubara of Rivers has ordered immediate temporary relocation of the sitting of the State House of Assembly to the Auditorium, Admin Block of the Government House, Port Harcourt hours after hinting of efforts to renovate the current House of Assembly complex.

The order is contained in the State’s official Gazette, Executive Order of the Rivers State Government 001-2023.

The decision was taken because the current House of Assembly complex in its present state is unsafe and constitutes a threat to the lives of the staff and the lawmakers, Fubara explained.

The twist came hours after a Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt granted an interim injunction restraining pro-Wike speaker of the state House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and 24 other members from parading themselves as legislators.

The court’s decision was at the instance of an exparte order filed against the pro-Wike lawmakers by pro-Fubara speaker Victor Oko Jumbo and three other lawmakers loyal to Fubara.

The gazette reads, “The On the 29th day of October 2023, a fire incident occasioned by unknown persons burnt and damaged the hallowed chambers of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

“That the Hallowed Chamber of the Rivers State House of Assembly in its present state is unsafe and constitutes a threat to the lives of the staff and the Honourable members of Rivers State House of Assembly and thus not conducive for the business and proceeding of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

“That it is expedient to carry out urgent repairs, renovation, and reconstruction of the burnt an damaged chambers of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

“That it is further reasonable to ensure that the business and proceedings of the Rivers State House of Assembly are not impeded and frustrated.

“NOW THEREFORE, I SIR SIMINALAYI FUBARA GSSRS, the Governor of Rivers State this 30th day of October 2023, Pursuant to the powers vested in me under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) hereby ISSUE, ORDER, AND DIRECT that all proceedings and business of Rivers State House of Assembly shall temporarily take place at the Auditorium, Admin Block, Government House, Port Harcourt until the repairs, renovation or reconstruction of the chambers of the Rivers State House of Assembly are completed.”

The move by Fubara is seen to checkmate the activities of the pro-Wike  lawmakers who had been using the Assembly complex for their sittings.