The Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Victor Oko-Jumbo, don dey threaten to take legal action against the 25 lawmakers wey dey loyal to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and their leader, Martin Amaewhule. This threat come after Amaewhule and his group declare the seats of four pro-Fubara lawmakers vacant.
According to reports, the House Leader, Major Jack, and 25 other members move motion say the seats of Hon. Edison Ogerenye Ehie, Hon. Victor Oko Jombo, Hon. Adolphus Timothy Oruibienimigha, and Hon. Sokari Goodboy Sokari be declared vacant because dem no dey attend legislative meetings without just cause. Dem cite Section 109 (1)(e),(f) and Section 109 (2) of the 1999 Constitution as altered.
However, Oko-Jumbo and his faction no agree with this decision. Oko-Jumbo say Amaewhule and his colleagues no get the power to declare seats vacant because dem don defect from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to All Progressives Congress (APC) since December 2023. He claim say dem seats were declared vacant by the then-Speaker, Edison Ehie, and INEC suppose conduct bye-elections to fill those vacant seats.
The Rivers State House of Assembly under Oko-Jumbo leadership also caution people to ignore Amaewhule’s actions, saying dem no longer members of the Assembly. Dem call on INEC to conduct bye-elections to fill the vacant seats declared on December 13, 2023.
The crisis dey deepen as both factions dey claim legitimacy and authority. The situation dey create tension and uncertainty for the people of Rivers State.
