Rivers: Pro-Fubara lawmakers plan penalties against Amaewhule-led assembly

Rivers: Pro-Fubara lawmakers plan penalties against Amaewhule-led assembly

The Victor Oko-Jumbo led Rivers State House of Assembly has reiterated its stance that the legislative seats of court-backed Martin Amaewhule and 24 others remain vacant following their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The decision was made during a plenary session at the temporary Hallowed Chamber in Port Harcourt.

The Assembly maintained that the vacant seats must be filled through a bye-election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

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Additionally, the House initiated moves to invoke constitutional provisions against former Assembly members for impersonation.

Also on the day’s schedule for business was the request for approval of five Specials Advisers as contained in a letter addressed to the Speaker by the Governor of Rivers State,  Siminalayi Fubara, which was read on the floor of the House, just as compelling reasons for the approval was made, highlighting its significance for the state’s development, which eventually earned the unanimous approval of the Assembly.

In his remark, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Oko-Jumbo gave the background of how his predecessor,  Hon Martin Amaewhule and 24 other former members lost their seats in the house.

He said, “On the 11th Day of December, 2023, at the 87th Legislative sitting of the House, former Speaker, Martin Amaewhule and the 24 former members defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).”

Rivers: Pro-Fubara lawmakers plan penalties against Amaewhule-led assembly