JUST IN: Rivers Assembly Strips Celestine Omehia Of ‘His Excellency’ Title, Orders Refund Of Entitlement

Following a motion passed by the Rivers State House of Assembly on Thursday, Celestine Omehia, will no longer be recognized as a former governor of the state and he will no longer use “His Excellency” title.

The Leader of the State Assembly and member representing Obio/Akpor Constituency, Martin Amaewmule, moved a motion to reverse an earlier resolution of the 8th Assembly on June 30, 2015, which compelled the Executive Arm, headed by Governor Nyesom Wike to recognise Omehia as a former Governor and be accorded all entitlements, privileges and benefits.

According to the lawmaker, the continued recognition of Omehia as a former governor will be a bridge of the Supreme Court judgement which in 2007 removed Celestine Omehia as a Governor for not being the duly elected candidate in that year’s election.

Celestine Omehia was the fourth Governor of Rivers State, from May 29, 2007 to October 25, 2007.

The Supreme court had sacked Omehia and declared Rotimi Amaechi as the duly elected candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the time and the right person to occupy the office of the Governor.

In his motion to derecognise Omehia, Amaewmule also prayed the Assembly to; stop Omehia from using “His Excellency” title; stop using the acronym “GSSRS” (Grand Service Star of Rivers State), which is a state honour meant for incumbent and former Governors alone; order Omehia to refund all monitory entitlements received from the Rivers State Government, especially the sum of 600 million naira in benefits and 96.5 million naira in pension he has so far received as at September 2022 from the Rivers State Government within seven days.

All 21 members of the House present supported the prayer. The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani said the house was right in taking the decision because no law is absolute.