Governor Nyesom Wike says that the decision to derecognize Celestine Omehia as a former governor of Rivers state has nothing to do with politics.
The Rivers State House of Assembly had passed a motion to derecognize Omehia and transmitted the same to the Attorney general of the state and commissioner of justice, Prof. Zacchaeus Adangor.
Speaking at the signing ceremony of the document, Wike said the House relied on a court judgement which held that Omehia never existed as governor in the eyes of the law.
Wike alleged that former Governor Chibuike Amaechi never recognized Omehia as a former governor of Rivers 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 one day disagreed with anything the Assembly has sent to me,” Wike said.
“But the leader of the House told me that 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.
“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. “So, people should understand and not begin to play politics,” the governor added.
However, some Nigerians are of the opinion that the House decision may not be unconnected with Omehia’s recent political romance with the Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and Prince Uche Seconndus.