Rivers Assembly asks INEC to conduct bye election to fill vacant seats

The Rivers State House of Assembly has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a bye election to fill the vacant seats in the State House of Assembly.

NaijaOnPoint.com.ng (NOP) reports Speaker of the Rivers State House Of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo made the call during a press conference on Friday.

Oko-Jumbo argued that the impediments restraining INEC from conducting the bye election to fill the 27 vacant seats in the Rivers State House of Assembly have been removed.

The text of the press conference reads: “On behalf of the members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, I welcome you all to this press conference.

“Please recall that on the 11th day of December, 2023, in the full view of the whole world, Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule and 26 others, defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) after their failed attempt to impeach the Executive Governor of Rivers State, SIR SIMINALAYI FUBARA GSSRS on the 30th day of October, 2023.

“Please also recall that it is the Peoples Democratic Party that sponsored the election of Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule and 26 others in the 2023 General Election.

“To frustrate the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from conducting a bye election to fill the vacated seats in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule & 26 others filed Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1681/2023 against INEC & 4 others on the 13th day of December, 2023.

“Subsequently, an order of Interlocutory Injunction was secured, restraining INEC from conducting a bye election to fill the 27 vacant seats in the Rivers State House of Assembly.

“After filing the said suit and securing the order of interlocutory injunction, Martin Chike Amaewhule and 26 others began to foot drag and did not do anything to diligently prosecute their suit at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

“On Wednesday, the 30th day of October, 2024, Martin Chike Amaewhule and 26 others, without any reason discontinued Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1681/2023 and it was accordingly struck out.

“The only impediment to INEC conducting a bye election to fill the 27 vacant seats in the Rivers State House of Assembly was the order of Interlocutory Injunction restraining INEC from conducting a bye election.

“Now that Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1681/2023 has been struck out, the order of interlocutory injunction is also spent.

“Accordingly, as the Rt. Honourable Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly I call on INEC to forthwith conduct a bye election to fill the 27 vacant seats in the Rivers State House of Assembly”.