Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has approved the resolution of the State House of Assembly to strip Sir Celestine Omehia of the status of a former governor of the state.
With the signing of the resolution, the recognition that accorded Omehia the status of a former governor of the state, with accruable rights and benefits is now cancelled.
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Wike signed the instrument at the Executive Council Chambers of the Rivers State Government House, Port Harcourt on Friday when it was presented to him by the State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Professor Zacchaeus Adangor.
The governor disclosed that he had always respected resolutions from the State House of Assembly and never had any reason to disagree with the House.
“Yesterday (Thursday), I received a resolution from the Assembly de-recognising Sir Celestine Omehia, who had enjoyed the privileges of a former governor of the state.
“But you will recollect that sometime in 2007/2008, my predecessor, His Excellency Chibuike Amaechi, did not recongnise Sir Celestine Omehia as a former governor of the state.
“When we came on board, there were issues and the Assembly felt that, having served as governor, he should enjoy the status of a former governor. I’ve always respected the resolutions of the Assembly. I’ve never (for) one day disagreed with anything the Assembly has sent to me.”
Wike said the state House of Assembly noted that the strength of information currently at its disposal compelled the House to reverse the decision it reached in 2015.
The governor noted that the hall mark of leadership was being able to acknowledge that there was an error done in the course of administration and having the courage to correct such error.
He said, “The leader of the House said they have better facts and what are the facts? The facts are the Supreme Court judgment categorically stated that Sir Celestine Omehia was never a governor, because he never stood for any election and that it will be inappropriate for their (Assembly) legacy that they didn’t respect the judgement of the Supreme Court.
“In this part of our country, people will praise you when it suits them, but when you do the uncommon thing, people will not praise you.”
The governor said people should keep politics away from what had been done and urged them to get a copy of the Supreme Court judgment.
He added, “I had to call the Attorney General for him to give me his legal opinion as regards the resolution of the Assembly, and rightly the Attorney General said they (Assembly) are right.
“That in the first instance, the recognition was extra-judicial; that the Assembly has no power to change the judgment of any court, let alone (that of) the Supreme Court. So, people should understand and not to begin to play politics.”
