The speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Ehie Ogerenye Edison, has formally informed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of the 25 vacancies in the State House of Assembly and has requested for a bye-election.
Ehie is the speaker loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The letter dated 14 December 2023 is titled “NOTICE OF VACANCIES IN THE RIVERS STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PURSUANT TO SECTION 109(1)(G) AND (2) OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA 1999 (AS AMENDED) AND REQUEST FOR CONDUCT OF FRESH ELECTIONS IN THE 25 STATE CONSTITUENCIES IN THE RIVERS STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY”
The letter reads in part: “I write to formally bring to your notice vacancies in the seats of the underlisted constituencies and membership pursuant to Section 109(1) (g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended). The underlisted members who represented the respective Constituencies indicated against their names jointly and severally decamped from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under whose platform they were elected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on the 11th day of December, 2023. As a result, in accordance with Section 109 (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and by Resolution of the House at the 90th Legislative Sitting of the Rivers State House of Assembly held on Wednesday, 13th day of December, 2023, their seats were declared vacant.”
“Consequently, I write on behalf of the Rivers State House of Assembly to kindly request for a bye-election to be conducted to fill the vacant seats in the Rivers State House of Assembly.”
Last week, 27 lawmakers, previously aligned with the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), switched to the All Progressives Congress (APC). This move was met with swift action from Governor Fubara’s camp, with legislators loyal to him declaring the defectors’ seats vacant.”
The 27 lawmakers are led by Martins Amaewhule.
Amaewhule’s faction is allegedly backed by Nyesom Wike.
Both Wike and Fubara are in a face-off over the control of the political structure in the state.
Recall that the State High Court in Port Harcourt on Tuesday gave an order allowing for the four-member Rivers House of Assembly backed by Fubara to hold legislative business without interference
It was also in the week that the state government ordered the demolition of the assembly complex, citing concerns about structural defects.
