Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt

Owaji-Ibani, left when being sworn in as Speaker in June

The Speaker of Rivers House,Ikuinyi  Owaji-Ibani,representing Andoni Constituency resign a moment ago shortly after presiding over the 2016 budget presentation by Governor Nyesom Wike at about 5.30pm today.

The Speaker made the surprise announcement after presiding over the hurried presentation of the 2016  budget, citing “personal reasons”.

Immediately after his resignation, members unanimously endorsed Daboturidima Adams, the member representing Okrika State Constituency  as the new Speaker.

The constituency  is where Mrs Patience Jonathan, the wife of former President Goodluck Jonathan, hails from.

It was not clear why Owaji-Ibani quit.

Members of  his constituency  include  Uche Secondus, the Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP,  and the former Deputy Governor to Chibuike Amaechi, Tele Ikuru.

Speculations are rife that the Speaker may have been eased out to satisfy Mrs Patience Jonathan.

Others speculate that the former Speaker’s resignation may also be based on the fact that he could no longer bear the pressure of being called the Speaker of “A rubber stamp House of Assembly”.

Almost all the members of the House of Assembly have already been sacked by the Appeal Court and an election in 60 days, has been ordered.