In a surprising move, Edison Ehie, the factional Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to Governor Siminialayi Fubara, has announced his resignation as both the Speaker and the Member representing Ahoada East Constituency II. Ehie, who had been at the center of the political crisis that rocked the state in the past months, said he made the decision voluntarily for personal reasons.
Ehie’s resignation letter, dated 29th December 2023, was addressed to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu. In the letter, Ehie expressed his gratitude to his colleagues and his constituents for the opportunity to serve and hoped to continue to contribute to the development of Rivers State in the future.
“This is to formally notify you of my voluntary resignation as Speaker and Member of the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly representing Ahoada East Constituency II with effect from the date of this letter. I wish to appreciate my colleagues and the people of my constituency for the rare opportunity to serve and hope to continue to give my utmost best in service to Rivers State subsequently,” the letter read.
Ehie’s resignation came as a shock to many observers, as he had been a staunch supporter of Governor Fubara and had declared himself as the Speaker of the House after he was removed as the Leader of the House by the Speaker Martins Amaewhule-led faction, which was aligned with the former Governor and current Minister of Transport, Nyesom Wike.
The power struggle between Fubara and Wike had led to violent clashes, bombings, and impeachment threats in the state, prompting the intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who brokered a peace deal between the warring parties in early December. As part of the agreement, the lawmakers withdrew their impeachment notice against Fubara, while Fubara paid all their withheld entitlements and agreed to re-present the 2024 budget to the Amaewhule-led House.
However, Ehie had refused to recognize the peace deal and had continued to preside over a parallel House of Assembly, which had passed the 2024 budget presented by Fubara. He had also obtained a court order that affirmed him as the Speaker of the House and had challenged the legitimacy of the Amaewhule-led House.
Some analysts believe that Ehie’s resignation may be a result of the pressure from Fubara, who wanted to fully implement the peace deal and end the crisis in the state. Others suggest that Ehie may have been offered some incentives or promises by Fubara or Wike to step down and pave way for a unified House of Assembly.
Governor Fubara, in a statement issued by his media aide, praised Ehie for his courage and sacrifice, saying that he resigned as the Speaker for the sake of peace and stability in the state. He also thanked President Tinubu for his role in resolving the conflict and assured the people of Rivers State that his administration would focus on delivering good governance and development to the state.
Meanwhile, Speaker Amaewhule, in a press conference, welcomed Ehie’s resignation and called on all the members of the House to work together for the interest of the state. He also expressed his readiness to cooperate with Governor Fubara and the executive arm of the government to ensure the smooth passage of the 2024 budget and other bills.
With Ehie’s resignation, the Rivers State House of Assembly is expected to resume its normal legislative functions and end the impasse that had paralyzed the state for months. However, the political rivalry between Fubara and Wike is likely to continue, as both leaders are seen as potential contenders for the 2025 governorship election in the state.