INEC Breaks Silence on Rivers Assembly Crisis, Explains Delay in Filling ‘Vacant Seats’

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has finally spoken out on the controversy surrounding the Rivers State House of Assembly.

POLITICS NIGERIA reports that the electoral body has cited conflicting court judgments as the reason for its earlier silence on the issue.

According to INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the commission has been monitoring the situation and is seeking the advice of Nigerians, particularly legal experts.

The legislative arm of the state government is currently divided into two factions: one backed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the other by former governor Nyesom Wike.

This division has led to a situation with 25 pro-Wike lawmakers’ seats declared vacant by three lawmakers loyal to Fubara and vice versa.

A faction loyal to Governor Fubara has urged INEC to conduct a by-election to fill the seats of pro-Wike lawmakers. Meanwhile, Wike’s faction has also declared vacant the seats of members allied with Fubara.

Yakubu said, “After that, there was a court judgment from the Rivers High Court as well as the Federal High Court on the legitimacy of each of these groups of lawmakers.

“We at INEC have been following the developments. We do not know what will happen next, and so we are seeking the views of Nigerians, especially legal experts on this.”