A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has announced that it will deliver its ruling on January 21, 2025, concerning a case filed by the Labour Party (LP) over the defection of 27 lawmakers.
The lawmakers, who were formerly members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), switched allegiance to the All Progressives Congress (APC), last year amidst political crisis in the state.
The Labour Party argues that the defecting lawmakers, who are aligned with former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, should lose their seats in the State Assembly due to their political defection. The party is asking the court to declare these seats vacant and order fresh elections to replace the lawmakers.
In its suit, labelled FHC/PH/25/2024, the Labour Party questions the legitimacy of the defections and has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to step in and organize by-elections for the contested seats.
In another related case, the court will hear arguments on December 10, 2024, in a suit filed by Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo and three other lawmakers loyal to the current Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara. The pro-Fubara legislators are also demanding that the 27 defecting lawmakers be barred from identifying as State Assembly members.
