Heavily armed security operatives have taken over the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex following a fire outbreak at the chamber around 10pm on Sunday, October 29, 2023.

This development is coming amidst rumours of a plot to impeach the State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara allegedly by lawmakers loyal to a former Governor of the State.

Sources told Kristina Reports that the fire started when suspected hoodlums allegedly stormed the complex located along Moscow Road, Port Harcourt and bombed the place using improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Kristina Reports was yet to confirm this from the officials at the Complex as at the time of this report.

Kristina Reports further learnt that the men of Federal Fire Service rushed to the scene and successfully put off the fire which razed furniture, equipment and other valuables in the legislative chamber.

The State Commissioner of Police, Emeka Nwonyi is reported to have instantly drafted police operatives to take charge of the Assembly Complex.  

Sources, who pleaded anonymity, hinted Kristina Reports that the explosion may not be unconnected with an alleged plot to impeach the Governor, Siminalayi Fubara by the State House of Assembly.

Martins Amaewhule, a staunch loyalist of the said former Governor, is the Speaker of the Assembly.

One of sources said that, “all is not well between the Executive and the Legislature in the State”.

“I have heard that there is an attempt to impeach the Governor by the House of Assembly. I don’t know how true that is but tomorrow (Monday) and the days after will tell.”

The State House of Assembly Complex shares proximity with the State Police Command Headquarters, Court of Appeal, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), and State Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), also known as, Ernest Ikoli Press Centre.

This fire incident comes a few days after five commissioners appointed by Governor Fubara took oath of office after being screened by the House of Assembly.

The new Commissioners include Gift Worlu, Austen Chioma, Isaac Umejuru, Joseph Johnson, and Victor Kii.

Knowledgeable sources say the plan was to impeach the Majority Leader of the Assembly, Ehie Edison, who has, so far, allegedly refused to kick start the move to impeach the Governor, and then commence impeachment proceedings against Fubara, after electing a new Majority Leader.

Effort to reach the Speaker, Amaewhule, and other officials of the State Assembly on the developments at the complex to confirm the incident proved abortive as at the time of this report.