Legal Expert Falana Analyzes Why Pro-Wike Legislators Lack Power To Impeach Fubara Amid Rivers Crisis

Legal Expert Falana Analyzes Why Pro-Wike Legislators Lack Power To Impeach Fubara Amid Rivers Crisis....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Human rights luminary Femi Falana (SAN) has elaborated on the complexities surrounding the potential impeachment of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, by legislators aligned with former Governor Nyesom Wike. Falana, offering legal and constitutional insights during an appearance on Channels TV’s Sunday Politics, emphasized the requirement of a two-thirds majority among legislators supportive of Wike for such an impeachment to occur.

Falana underscored the constitutional prerequisites for legislative proceedings, emphasizing the imperative of adhering to these norms to uphold the integrity of legislative activities. He stressed, “Before the House can proceed with any matter, it must form a quorum as defined in the Constitution. Additionally, the removal of a governor via impeachment necessitates a two-thirds majority in the legislature, as explicitly stated.”

Reiterating his stance, Falana asserted that the 25 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who recently switched allegiance from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) have effectively forfeited their positions.

These developments unfold against a backdrop of heightened political tensions within the state, marked by significant shifts in party affiliations that have influenced the legislative landscape of the assembly. The defection of lawmakers previously aligned with Wike to the APC has triggered debates concerning the legality of their continued membership in the assembly.

Falana emphasized, “The 25 defected lawmakers have relinquished their seats and the rights associated with assembly membership.” He referenced a legal precedent set by the Supreme Court in the case of Adetunde and the Labour Party, affirming that lawmakers could only retain their seats if their original party experienced a division, which is not currently the case with the PDP.

This controversy escalated with the election of Victor Oko-Jumbo as the new speaker of the assembly, representing the Bonny constituency. However, uncertainties linger regarding the legitimacy of the voting process and the actual number of lawmakers supporting Oko-Jumbo’s speakership within the faction aligned with Governor Fubara.

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