Rivers disagree with pro-Wike lawmakers over Assembly Service Commission law
The Rivers State Government has faulted the state House of Assembly over the passing into law of the Rivers State House of Assembly Service Commission Amendment Bill, 2024.
Recall that of the 27 pro-Wike lawmakers, 24 who were present at Friday’s emergency plenary had enacted a new law without the governor’s assent overriding Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The action of the lawmakers followed an observation by the House Majority Leader, Major Jack, that the Rivers State House of Assembly Service Commission amendment law which was sent to the governor since February 19th, 2024 had yet to be assented to by Fubara.
But the Chief of Staff, Rivers State Government House, Edison Ehie, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Saturday and sent to newsmen, said the lawmakers lacked the powers they intend to assume.
Ehie stated, “The Rivers State House of Assembly lacks the powers, legal or otherwise, to remove the power of appointment of the Chairman and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly Service Commission from the governor and vest that power on themselves.
“The provision in the Rivers State House of Assembly Service Commission (Amendment) Law, 2024 seeking to vest that power on the House is in clear contravention of the 1999 Constitution, and therefore, a nullity in the eyes of the Law. See the case of MacFoy v UAC (1961) 3 All ER 1169 where the court held that you cannot put something on nothing and expect it to stand.”
