Rivers Crisis: Pro-Fubara Lawmakers Slam Pro-Wike Assembly, Declare 27 Defected Lawmakers ‘Gone’
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!PORT HARCOURT – Five federal lawmakers from Rivers State backing Governor Siminalayi Fubara have called on pro-Wike legislators led by Martin Amaewhule to stop parading themselves as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
During a solidarity visit to the Victor Oko-Jumbo-led Assembly on Monday, the lawmakers dismissed claims by their pro-Wike counterparts, who had paid a similar visit to Amaewhule’s faction last week.
The visiting lawmakers included Awaji-Inombek Abiante (Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro), Boma Goodhead (Akuku-Toru/Asari-Toru), Boniface Emerengwa (Ikwerre/Emohua), Allison Anderson Igbiks (Okrika/Ogu-Bolo), and Manuchim Umezuruike (Port Harcourt Federal Constituency 1).
Speaking on behalf of the caucus, Abiante accused the pro-Wike lawmakers of misleading the public and misinterpreting a recent court ruling by Justice Omotosho. He insisted that the 27 lawmakers led by Amaewhule lost their seats when they defected in December 2023.
Citing Supreme Court rulings from Plateau and Ondo states, Abiante asserted that the defected lawmakers no longer had any legal standing. He further referenced former Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen’s ruling in Dapialong v. Dariye, which affirms that an Assembly can continue with its remaining members until vacant seats are filled.
Mocking Amaewhule and his colleagues, Abiante highlighted their sworn affidavits confirming their defection, stating that their attempt to retract their move was disgraceful. He also dismissed ongoing legal disputes over the 2024 budget, emphasizing that Governor Fubara remains committed to the rule of law.
Calling on President Bola Tinubu, the National Judicial Council, and the Inspector General of Police to disregard Amaewhule’s claims, Abiante reassured the Oko-Jumbo-led Assembly that the majority of Rivers people support them.
In response, Victor Oko-Jumbo praised the visiting lawmakers for their solidarity and vowed to lead the Assembly without fear. Reaffirming his stance, he declared, “The 27 lawmakers are gone.”
The Rivers political crisis continues to unfold, with tensions escalating between Governor Fubara’s supporters and those loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike.
