Rivers crisis: New Speaker Victor Oko pledges loyalty to Fubara

The new Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Victor Oko, has expressed his loyalty to Governor Sim Fubara.

Oko said the new state assembly under him would work with him and the people of the state.

Addressing journalists after he was inaugurated in Port Harcourt, the state capital, the new Speaker said the Rivers Assembly will work for the people of the state.

He said: “We will brief the press and communicate our proceedings to the public and engage them, we will make sure that they are part of what we are doing. We will ensure that there is transparency and clarity in the 10th legislative assembly.

“I have directed the Clerk to notify the governor that a new leader has emerged in the Rivers State House of Assembly and we are ready to work for the Rivers people.”

Oko, who is loyal to Fubara, had taken the oath of office as the new Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Two members of the Rivers State House of Assembly elected Victor Jumbo as the speaker.

This development came barely 48 hours after Governor Fubara declared that the majority 27 Members of the House, who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Progressives Congress, APC, was non-existent.