- Enemi Alabo George criticizes the demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex, describing it as reckless and erasing history
- George disputes the government’s explanation, stating the building’s structural integrity was sound, and condemns the lack of proper procedures
Enemi Alabo George, one of the 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, switched allegiance from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). However, the focus shifted dramatically on Wednesday when the state government, led by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, demolished the House of Assembly complex, leaving Alabo George to lament the erasure of history, archives, and files.
Characterizing the demolition as a reckless act, Alabo George, also the House Committee on Informational Chairman, criticized the government for destroying the entire complex when only the hallowed chamber had been affected by a previous explosion. He expressed dismay that lawmakers and staff were not given an opportunity to retrieve their files and personal belongings before the demolition.
Speaking on Channels TV, Alabo George conveyed his shock, saying, “It’s sad, unfortunate, and an interesting day to be alive; that we would wake up to see many years of hard work, history, and works of our forebears and predecessors brought down in one fell swoop.”
The aftermath of the demolition left the Rivers State House of Assembly stripped of its documents, files, archives, and the symbolic essence built over the years. Alabo George emphasized the significance of these materials in understanding the history of the House of Assembly.
Defying the state government’s explanation that the demolition was due to the structural integrity being compromised after a recent explosion, Alabo George argued, “The Rivers State House of Assembly building, before it was brought down today, was the best House of Assembly building in Nigeria.”
He raised concerns about the lack of due process, asserting that demolishing the official building required proper notices and approval from the House. Alabo George accused Governor Fubara of acting out of ego, branding the incident as the “height of recklessness and lawlessness.”
In response to the controversy surrounding the Speaker’s position, Alabo George reaffirmed Martin Amaewhule as the Speaker based on a valid court order. Dismissing their seats’ vacancy, he stated, “It’s funny. We have the constitution, and everything we have done was in accordance with the dictates of the constitution.”
Despite acknowledging Governor Wike as their mentor, Alabo George clarified that Wike played no role in their defection to the APC. He concluded by asserting the Assembly’s commitment to resisting suppression by the executive, emphasizing their determination to carry out their functions as prescribed by law.