Ugochinyere Comments on Rivers State Lawmakers' Defection
By Wisdom Tide
October 17, 2024
Ikenga Ugochinyere, a member of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) and a representative in Nigeria's House of Representatives, recently addressed the controversial actions of 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. Led by Martin Amaewhule, these lawmakers had initially announced their defection from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC), only to retract their statements shortly after, claiming they remained loyal to the PDP.
Wike's Dinner and Lawmakers' Defection
Speaking during a live broadcast on Symfoni TV, Ugochinyere revealed that former Governor Nyesom Wike hosted a dinner for the 27 lawmakers, during which Wike expressed his surprise that the legislators had not informed him before their defection. According to Ugochinyere, the lawmakers had publicly sworn allegiance to the APC, with the event aired on live television. He also noted that the APC had organized rallies to welcome these defectors into their fold.
Lawmakers Forfeit Their Seats
Ugochinyere further emphasized that by announcing their defection, the lawmakers effectively forfeited their seats in the Assembly. According to Ugochinyere, this action was irrevocable: once the lawmakers publicly declared their switch to the APC, they were no longer legitimate members of the PDP or entitled to their positions in the legislature.
Running to the Courts
In his remarks, Ugochinyere criticized the lawmakers for attempting to seek legal intervention to retain their seats. He questioned their legitimacy as lawmakers after their public defection, pointing out that despite their efforts to reverse their actions in court, they had already forfeited their mandates.
In his words: "Wike hosted dinner for you people (27 lawmakers) where he told the whole world that you people did not even tell him before you decamped. Then suddenly you are running from one court to another so that you can be declared a lawmaker when you are no longer a lawmaker
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