The Rivers State House Assembly has withdrawn its recognition of Celestine Ngozichim Omehia as a former Governor of the state.
NewsClick Nigeria gathered that all 21 members present voted in support of the motion to delist Omehia and resolved to forward their resolution to incumbent Governor Nyesom Wike for implementation.
Omehia, who took office as governor of Rivers State on May 29, 2007, was replaced by Rotimi Amaechi on October 25 the same year after the Supreme Court declared him as the rightful winner of the 2007 governorship election.
His election was annulled by the apex court while Amaechi, minister was declared the winner of the state governorship election.
Despite the Supreme Court judgement, Omehia was recognised as a former governor of the state by Nyesom Wike, the incumbent governor, in 2015, and accorded all entitlements.
The motion to derecognise him was moved by Martin Amaewmule, leader of the house, during plenary on Thursday.
Amaewmule asked the house to stop Omehia from using the title “His Excellency” and the acronym “GSSRS” (Grand Service Star of Rivers State) which is a state honour meant for an incumbent and former governors.
He also asked that Omehia be made to refund all monetary entitlements received from the state government, especially the sum of N600 million in benefits and N96.5 million pension that he has so far received.
All the 21 members present at the plenary voted in support of the four prayers.
NewsClick Nigeria reports that the Assembly’s action might not be unconnected to the crisis rocking the PDP. Omehia is believed to have fallen out with Governor Wike over his loyalty to Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the party.
Wike and Atiku have been at loggerheads after the party’s National Convention in May where Atiku emerged presidential flagbearer. The crisis was further worsened with Atiku’s choice of the Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa as running mate.
