Just in: Wike, Fubara rift deepens as Rivers’ Assembly sacks leader

Hours after it was gutted by night fire, the Rivers State House of Assembly on Monday removed its majority leader, Edison Ehie, by 23 votes amid commotion which attracted heavy security and the firing of tear gas within the environ.

The governor, Sim Fubara also as a counterfoil sacked his Chief of Staff, Chidi Amadi and Government House chief security officer, Promise Wosu.

This is as the governor stormed the Assembly while House members fled for safety as tear gas was fired outside the Complex amid protests outside the Assembly Complex.

Recall that there was a fire outbreak at the Assembly shortly before 10pm Sunday night. The fire was later put out by firefighters.

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There has been a cold war of attrition between Fubara and his predecessor and former boss, Nyesom Wike, who is now Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister.

A faction of the Assembly members loyal to Wike wants to impeach the governor but they were being checkmated by pro-Fubara members who insisted that Fubara is the governor and should be allowed to govern without interference.

Some accused Wike of being high-handed and wanting to issue directives to governor Fubara in what they described as Wike’s proposed third term.

It is believed that the removal of Ehie will pave the way for the impeachment of Fubara.