Oko-Jumbo Responds to Rivers State Assembly Declaration
Legislative Seats Vacant Due to Defections
The Victor Oko-Jumbo-led faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly has reiterated that the legislative seats of Martin Amaewhule and 24 other lawmakers remain vacant following their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The Assembly insists that by-elections should be conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to fill these vacancies.
The controversy arose when the Amaewhule-led faction of the Assembly declared the seats of Edison Ehie, Chief of Staff to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and three other pro-Fubara lawmakers vacant, citing their absence from legislative sittings for 152 days.
Accusations of Constitutional Violations
During a plenary session, Martin Amaewhule alleged that Edison Ehie had failed to properly inform the House of his new role as Chief of Staff, contributing to the decision to declare his seat vacant. He further claimed that Oko-Jumbo and other members violated the provisions of the 1999 Constitution by being absent for 152 consecutive days without proper notification.
Oko-Jumbo Defends His Faction's Position
In response, Victor Oko-Jumbo, the current Speaker of the Assembly, argued that the 25 legislative seats, including Amaewhule's, were declared vacant as far back as December 13, 2023, under the authority of then-Speaker Edison Ehie. He criticized INEC for delaying the by-elections, which he claims has allowed Amaewhule's group to create unnecessary distractions within the Assembly.
"On the 11th day of December, 2023, Martin Chike Amaewhule and 24 others defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, the party that sponsored their election, to the All Progressives Congress," Oko-Jumbo explained. He added that the defection was widely reported and even acknowledged in legal affidavits.
'They Have No Such Powers' – Oko-Jumbo
Oko-Jumbo further condemned the recent actions of the Amaewhule-led Assembly, accusing them of overstepping their authority by attempting to declare his seat vacant. "They have no such powers. This is an exercise in futility. It is a joke taken too far," he stated. He called on INEC to expedite the process of organizing by-elections to fill the vacant seats.
Suspensions and Previous Assembly Disturbances
The Assembly had previously suspended Edison Ehie, Victor Oko-Jumbo, and others following a series of disturbances, including an explosion at the Assembly complex on October 29, 2023. However, it remains unclear whether these suspensions were lifted prior to the most recent declarations by the Amaewhule-led faction.
Oko-Jumbo concluded by urging INEC to fulfill its constitutional duty and proceed with the by-elections to restore order to the Assembly
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