Lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara have vowed to invoke the provisions of the 1999 Constitution against 25 former Assembly members, including embattled Martin Amaewhule.
The legislators accused the former members of undermining the integrity of the House by defecting to another political party, a move which they argue disqualifies them from holding their seats.
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In a motion presented by the House Leader, Hon. Sokari Goodboy Sokari, he cited Section 99 of the Constitution, urging the House to take immediate action against the former lawmakers for their defection.
Sokari called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to organize bye-elections to fill the vacant seats of the former members.
Adopting the motion, Deputy Speaker Hon. Adolphus Orubienimigha insisted that the House must hold the former members accountable if they continued to act as lawmakers.
Speaker Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo also criticized INEC for failing to conduct the bye-elections, despite multiple requests made by the Assembly in December 2023 and May 2024. He urged INEC to act swiftly to ensure the constituencies are represented.
Meanwhile, the Assembly has approved Governor Fubara’s request to appoint five new special advisers.
The appointments, which are intended to accelerate the state’s development, were endorsed during the House’s 64th legislative sitting.
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In related news, a political group, The Supreme Council for SIM Worldwide, has accused supporters of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, of stirring up political unrest in Rivers State.
Former NDDC Acting Managing Director, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, called on President Bola Tinubu to rein in Wike, arguing that his actions could undermine the peace in Rivers State.
The group accused Wike of inciting tensions in the state, despite having served as governor for eight years.
They urged the people of Rivers to resist any attempts by a few individuals to manipulate state resources for personal gain.
