Rivers Crisis: PDP governors to hold emergency meeting in Abuja

Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are scheduled to hold an emergency meeting today (Tuesday) to discuss the political crisis in Rivers state.

The governors are expected to converge at the Akwa Ibom state governor’s lodge in Abuja.

The meeting will discuss the unfolding crisis in Rivers state as well as the off-cycle gubernatorial elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi.

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On Sunday night, fire gutted a section of the Rivers state assembly complex and the main chamber.

On Monday, the political crisis in the state escalated over the plot to impeach Siminalayi Fubara, the governor.

Ehie Edison, a member of the state house of assembly and an ally of Governor Fubara, was summarily removed as the leader of the house of assembly but hours later, he was elected as the new speaker.

Subsequently, all local government chairpersons in the state were reportedly sacked and the state executive council dissolved.

The Chief judge of the state, Chibuzor Amadi, was also suspended by members of the assembly loyal to Governor Fubara.

Addressing a throng of supporters, Fubara claimed that he was shot at and teargassed by police personnel while accessing the house of assembly.

The political turmoil in the state comes amid speculations of a rift between Fubara and Nyesom Wike, the immediate past governor of the state and current minister of the federal capital territory (FCT).