The House of Representatives, on Tuesday, stepped down a motion seeking to dabble into the crisis arising from the last rerun elections in Rivers State which had led to the dismissal of six police men attached to the governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, by the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
Following the dismissal, the police high Command set up a panel to investigate the crisis arising from the elections which had already been rejected by Governor Wike.
However, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, PDP, Rivers, brought a motion to the floor of the House, on Tuesday, calling on members to intervene in what he described as non-judicious exercise of discretion by police officers.
Also Hon Chinda’s motion wanted members to investigate complaints of misconducts in the National and State Assemblies elections held in the State on 10th December last year.
Hon Chinda in addition urged the House to compel IGP, INEC and Rivers State government to suspend every planned action on the situation in the state.
He also demanded for the setting up of adhoc committee to examine the complaints.
But in a point of order based on Section 285 of the 1999 constitution, Hon. Umar Farouk, discouraged members from debating the motion, arguing that the law provided for independence of the three arms of government.
Hon Farouk argued that while the police had taken action on the alleged dishonourable actions of the dismissed officers, the electoral body was addressing electoral complaints through a panel, it would be inappropriate for lawmakers to question their discretion.
Farouk added that the Government of Rivers State had also set up a judicial panel of inquiry to investigate issues arising from the said elections.
He urged members to tread with caution on the political situation in Rivers State, and avoid being dragged into controversies in the state.
Deputy Whip of the House, Pally Iriase also warned members against meddling in the Rivers political situation.
He advised members not to allow themselves to be used in truncating the effectiveness of other arms of government.
Ruling on the matter, the Speaker Hon Yakubu Dogara referred the motion to the committees on Justice and Judiciary for advice.
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