Wike-backed faction in Rivers Assembly declares seats of pro-Fubara lawmakers vacant

The Martin Amaewhule-led faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly, loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday, declared the seats of four pro-Fubara lawmakers vacant.

The affected lawmakers include Edison Ehie, Chief of Staff at Government House, and Victor Oko-Jumbo, who is the factional speaker of the assembly.

Others are Adolphus Timothy Oruibienimigha and Sokari Goodboy Sokari, they represent the Ahoada East II, Bonny, Opobo/Nkoro, and Ahoada West constituencies, respectively.

Amaewhule cited a breach of the 1999 Constitution as the reason for the decision, pointing to the members’ failure to attend legislative sittings for over 152 consecutive days without proper notification or permission.

According to Amaewhule, the assembly relied on Sections 109 (1)(e) and (f), along with Section 109 (2) of the Constitution, to support their action.
The declaration follows months of escalating tensions between factions loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara and those aligned with Wike.

Ehie, a former factional speaker, had previously declared the seats of 27 Wike-aligned lawmakers vacant after they defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The assembly has now directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct elections within 90 days to fill the newly vacant seats, ensuring representation for the affected constituencies.

Part of a press statement by Martins Wachukwu, Special Assistant on Media to Amaewhule, read:

“Commenting on the motion, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule recalled that after the peace parley that was held at the instance of the President, the House withdrew its impeachment notice on the Governor and also recalled the four suspended members, yet they have obstinately refused to attend sittings of the House.

“When the Speaker put the question, the House voted in the affirmative that the seats of the 4 members be declared vacant and the Independent National Electoral Commission be notified to conduct elections to fill the vacancies.

“Rt. Hon. Amaewhule reiterated that given the fact the Court of Appeal upheld all the injunctive orders given by the Federal High Court, Governor Siminialayi Fubara is again enjoined to present the 2024 Appropriate Bill to the House.

“Earlier, the Leader of the House, Hon. Major Jack, had informed the House that he was in receipt of the judgement of the Court of Appeal, which upheld the judgement of Justice Omotosho of the Federal High Court, which recognised the authenticity of the Rivers State House of Assembly under the Speakership of Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, which was appealed against by Governor Fubara.”