Why I ratified Rivers Assembly’s resolution to de-recognise Omehia as governor – Wike

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has given reasons for ratifying the de-recognition of Celestine Omehia as a former a governor of the state.

The Rivers State House of Assembly had on Thursday, passed a resolution de-recognising Omehia as a former governor.

Speaking while signing the ratification, Wike said he had always followed resolutions passed by the Assembly.

He praised the assembly members for being bold enough to correct a mistake they had earlier made when they granted Omehia recognition in 2015.

“Yesterday, I received a resolution from the Assembly de-recognising Sir Celestine Omehia, who had enjoyed the privileges of a former governor of the State,” the governor said on Friday.

“But you will recollect that sometime in 2007/2008, my predecessor, His Excellency Chibuike Amaechi did not recognize 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 one day disagreed with anything the Assembly has sent to me.

“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.”

“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, not to talk about the Supreme Court.

“So, people should understand and not begin to play politics,” Wike said.