A heavy security presence has enveloped the Rivers State House of Assembly Quarters in Port Harcourt on Monday as lawmakers prepare to hold their sitting following months of political crisis.
Multiple squads of policemen and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) were seen stationed around the Assembly Quarters, creating a tense atmosphere in the capital city of the oil-rich Niger Delta state.
The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, had earlier on Monday morning issued a notice summoning lawmakers for the plenary session.
However, the agenda of the sitting remains unclear.
Reports, however, indicate that the ongoing controversy surrounding the local government administration in the state is likely to dominate the discussions.
The heightened security comes on the heels of last week’s Supreme Court judgement, which nullified the local government elections held in the state last year.
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The apex court also directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to withhold funds from the Rivers State Government over what it described as “flagrant disobedience to court orders.”
The judgement further mandated the lawmakers, led by Amaewhule, to resume legislative activities after months of a protracted power tussle.
The political crisis in Rivers State has continued to fuel tension, with both the executive and legislative arms locked in a battle for control of the state’s affairs.
As of the time of filing this report, lawmakers are yet to commence plenary, while security operatives maintain heavy surveillance around the Assembly Quarters.