The 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, loyal to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday declared the seats of the four lawmakers who are loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara vacant.
The affected lawmakers are Victor Oko Jombo, who is the speaker for the four-member pro-Fubara state assembly; Adolphus Timothy Oruibienimigha, Sokari Goodboy Sokari, and Edison Ogerenye Ehie (who currently serves as the Chief of Staff to the governor).
The motion for the declaration of their seats was moved by House Leader, Major Jack and co-sponsored by 25 other members. Jack stated that the seats were declared vacant due to the four lawmakers’ ongoing refusal to attend and participate in legislative meetings without just cause.
He noted that the four lawmakers had been absent for over one-third of the total meeting days during the First Session of the 10th Assembly and had missed the last 56 legislative sittings of the Second Session.
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During the debate, members expressed unanimous support for the motion, highlighting the impact of the lawmakers’ absence on their constituents, whose voices have been unheard in the House for nearly a year.
In his comments, pro-Wike speaker, Martin Chike Amaewhule recalled that following a peace parley initiated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the House had withdrawn its impeachment notice against the governor and reinstated the four suspended members, yet they continued to refuse to attend sittings.
When the speaker put the motion to a vote, the House affirmed the decision to declare the seats vacant and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct elections to fill the vacancies.
Amaewhule reiterated that following the Court of Appeal’s upholding of all injunctive orders issued by the Federal High Court, Governor Fubara is now enjoined to present the 2024 Appropriation Bill to the House.
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