By Springs News NG – February 25, 2025

The Rivers State caucus in the House of Representatives has reaffirmed its support for Governor Siminalayi Fubara, insisting that Martin Amaewhule and 26 other lawmakers loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, have lost their seats due to their defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Speaking in Port Harcourt on Monday, the caucus leader and member representing Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency, Awaji-Inombek Abiante, led a delegation on a solidarity visit to the pro-Fubara Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Victor Oko-Jumbo. Other members of the delegation included Boma Goodhead (Akuku-Toru/Asari-Toru Federal Constituency), Boniface Emerengwa (Ikwerre/Emohua Federal Constituency), Anderson Allison Igbiks (Okrika/Ogu-Bolo Federal Constituency), and Manuchim Umezurike (Port Harcourt Federal Constituency 1).

Crisis Deepens Over Defection Dispute

The political crisis in Rivers State, which began in October 2023, has split the Assembly into two factions—one loyal to Fubara and the other to Wike. While Amaewhule and his 26 colleagues remained aligned with Wike, Oko-Jumbo and two others are recognized by the Fubara administration as the legitimate lawmakers.

On December 11, 2023, Amaewhule and his allies announced their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC. However, in a legal battle aimed at countering PDP’s claims, they later denied defecting, insisting they remained in the PDP.

The federal lawmakers condemned Amaewhule and his colleagues for denying their defection, calling it a shameful and unfortunate move.

Legal Precedents and Supreme Court Rulings

Abiante dismissed claims that recent court rulings favored Amaewhule’s group, arguing that their seats were automatically vacant upon defection. He cited Supreme Court judgments interpreting Sections 109(1)(g) and 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution, which state that any legislator who defects from the party on which they were elected automatically loses their seat.

“The Supreme Court’s ruling remains binding. As of December 11, 2023, when Martin Amaewhule and 26 others read out their defection letters on the Assembly floor, they ceased to be lawmakers,” Abiante stated.

Referencing Justice Walter Onnoghen’s ruling on a similar case in Plateau State, he emphasized that legislative functions could still continue despite the vacant seats, except for impeachment proceedings.

Oko-Jumbo Reaffirms Commitment to Governance

In response, Speaker Oko-Jumbo thanked the federal lawmakers for their support and pledged to continue making laws for the benefit of Rivers State.

“The former 27 lawmakers are gone. We have too much at stake to abandon the ship. The governor is focused on delivering good governance, and we will continue to stand for what is right,” he said.

The political standoff in Rivers State remains unresolved as both factions continue to assert legitimacy, with legal battles expected to shape the next phase of the crisis.