27 Rivers Lawmakers Face Perjury Charges Following Defection to APC, Says Opunabo Inko Tariah
By Wisdom Tide
October 26, 2024
Opunabo Inko Tariah, a former adviser to ex-Governor Nyesom Wike, recently accused 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Martin Amaewhule, of officially defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). According to Tariah, these lawmakers publicly joined the APC, allegedly substantiating their commitment to the new party through media announcements and legal affidavits.
Lawmakers' Public Defection to the APC
In a video broadcast by Arise TV, Inko Tariah alleged that the 27 lawmakers left the PDP to join the APC, openly inviting the media to record the event. “The 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Martin Amaewhule, have defected to the APC,” Tariah stated. He added that the media presence confirmed the public nature of the shift, which drew attention from both supporters and critics alike.
Defection Welcomed by APC Leadership
The move reportedly received endorsement from the APC leadership in Rivers State. Tony Okocha, then caretaker committee chairman of Rivers APC, is said to have welcomed the lawmakers into the party fold. According to Tariah, even President Bola Tinubu acknowledged the defection, likening the lawmakers to "new babies born into his political family." Tariah noted that the President expressed acceptance, remarking that he “won't reject babies born into his political family.”
Legal Implications: Affidavits Filed in Court
Tariah further highlighted that the lawmakers confirmed their APC membership by filing sworn affidavits in court. This legal move is notable, as it represents a formal affirmation of their membership in the APC, possibly to guard against any legal challenges related to party allegiance. “They went to court and deposed to an affidavit as APC members,” Tariah stated, emphasizing that this action could strengthen the legitimacy of their defection in the eyes of the law.
Potential Perjury Charges
According to Tariah, these lawmakers may now face a dilemma between upholding their sworn affidavits or potentially facing charges of perjury. He suggested that the legal consequences could be severe, should the defectors’ affiliations be challenged in court. “It is now left for the 27 former assembly members to agree whether they should be tried for perjury or they should go with the consequences of defection,” he stated, underscoring the legal risks associated with their actions.
The situation underscores the political and legal complexities surrounding party defections in Nigeria, particularly when lawmakers openly shift their loyalties and seek formal recognition in a new political landscape
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