House of Assembly with Me as the Speaker is the Only House of Assembly in Rivers - Oko-Jumbo
In a significant development within the Rivers State House of Assembly, Speaker Victor Oko-Jumbo, aligned with Governor Siminalayi Fubara, has declared their intention to appeal a recent judgment by the Court of Appeal. The announcement, made in Port Harcourt, followed a statement by the factional Clerk of the House, Dr. G. M. Gillis-West, expressing their dissatisfaction with the Court of Appeal's ruling, which stated that the Rivers State High Court lacked jurisdiction to adjudicate on SUIT NO. PHC/1512/CS/2024.
According to Punch, Speaker Oko-Jumbo reaffirmed his leadership and emphasized that there cannot be two legitimate Houses of Assembly in Rivers State. He referenced the defection of Martin Amaewhule and 24 other lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in December 2023. Oko-Jumbo reiterated that their seats have remained vacant since the then-Speaker Edison Ehie's declaration, a decision that has yet to be overturned by any court.
The Speaker clarified that the legitimate members of the Assembly had obtained a restraining order against Amaewhule and his group, preventing them from acting as members post-defection. Despite being dissatisfied with the initial rulings, Amaewhule's faction appealed to the Court of Appeal, which on July 4, 2024, ruled on jurisdictional grounds and struck out the suit.
Oko-Jumbo highlighted that the Court of Appeal did not validate Amaewhule and his group's continued membership nor did it negate their defection from the PDP to the APC. Describing the decision as flawed, the Assembly has instructed its legal team to escalate the matter to the Supreme Court for further adjudication.
Emphasizing the legal status quo, Oko-Jumbo reiterated that Amaewhule and his group are not recognized as members of the Assembly until a competent court rules otherwise. He called upon the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a bye-election to fill the vacant seats, urging the public to disregard any claims suggesting otherwise from Amaewhule's faction.
In his statement, Oko-Jumbo declared, “There cannot be two Houses of Assembly in Rivers State or indeed any State in Nigeria. This House of Assembly, with me as the Speaker, is the only House of Assembly in Rivers State. As the whole world knows, on the 11th day of December, 2023, Martin Amaewhule and his 24 friends defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.”
The Speaker’s assertion underscores the ongoing tension and legal battles within the Rivers State House of Assembly. The Assembly, under Oko-Jumbo’s leadership, is determined to maintain its stance and ensure that the defection of Amaewhule and his group is appropriately addressed through the judicial system. As the legal proceedings continue, the political landscape in Rivers State remains closely watched by both the public and political stakeholders
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