By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja
In line with the deal he reached with his predecessor, Nyesom Wike on the settlement of political crisis in the State, Governor Siminalayi has recognized Martin Chike Amaehwule as the Speaker of Rivers House of Assembly.
This was evident in the programme pamphlet used for the end of the year party attended by Fubara, former governor Peter Odili and other top government officials at Rivers State Government House on Monday evening.
Amaewhule, the factional Speaker loyal to Wike was duly recognised in the programme pamphlet of the new year party as the Speaker of Rivers House of Assembly with his picure occupying a full page.
Recall that tbe Rivers Assembly broke into two over alleged attempt to impeach Fubara by the pro-Wike lawmakers.
Wike, who is now the Minister of FCT had defended the Amaewhule led -lawmakers with claim that Fubara was trying to take over his political structure in Rivers as the reason for the impeachment move.
However, a faction of the House made up of four members had declared support for Fubara
The 27 lawmakers had also defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to All Progressives Congress, APC and Edison Ehie, the the Speaker of a faction loyal to Fubara had declared their seats vacant.
However, following calls by stakeholders in Rivers, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu called all the parties to the crises together in Abuja where they reached a settlement deal.
One of the terms of the settlement was recognition of Amaewhule as the Speaker of the House.
Fubara was also mandated to pay the salaries and allowances of the 27 pro- Wike lawmakers he had withheld since October when the House of Assembly was factionalised over alleged attempt to impeach him.
In addition, Fubara was also mandated to allow the Amaewhule led lawmakers to choose where they will be sitting for their plenary.
This followed the demolition of the Rivers Assembly Complex by Fubara following the crisis.
Though the agreement was criticised by members of PDP, lawyers and other stakeholders as heavily weighed against him, Fubara had insisted that he will comply with the terms.
Indeed, the Governor had in his Christmas Day address said he had already paid the withheld allowances of the lawmakers.
Ehi had also resigned from the Rivers House of Assembly on 29 December. There were rumours that the factional Speaker has been appointed as Chief of Staff to the Governor.
But this has not been officially confirmed. However, what is clear is that the the resignation of Ehie has paved the way for recognition of Amaewhule as the Speaker of Rivers Assembly as shown in page five of the programme pamphlet.
Ehie had before now dragged Amaewhule to court in contention for the Speakership. But with his resignation, he no longer has the legal grounds to pursue the case, according to analysts.