Pro-Fubara Faction Calls For Urgent Election To Fill 27 Assembly Vacancies

Pro-Fubara Faction Calls For Urgent Election To Fill 27 Assembly Vacancies....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly aligned with Governor Siminalayi Fubara have formally requested the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to organize elections to fill the vacant seats in the state legislature……….CONTINUE READING

This development follows a rift between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, as well as the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, which surfaced about five months into Fubara’s tenure. The disagreement reportedly arose from various misunderstandings between the governor and the FCT minister, leading to their disassociation from joint state functions.

Allegations of financial disagreements also emerged, further straining relations between the two leaders. In October 2023, tensions escalated when members of the State House of Assembly made moves to change its leadership. This resulted in a failed impeachment attempt led by 27 lawmakers aligned with the FCT minister, with the factional Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, spearheading the initiative.

The failed impeachment was preceded by a bombing incident at the state House of Assembly in October 2023. Subsequently, the Amaewhule-led lawmakers defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), declaring their seats vacant during a session held at a section of the damaged complex.

In response, one of the lawmakers loyal to Governor Fubara, Edison Ehie, claimed the position of Speaker with the support of 25 colleagues. He then announced the suspension of certain members and declared the seats of the defected lawmakers vacant during a plenary session at the Government House in Port Harcourt. The House resolved to write to INEC to conduct fresh elections to fill the alleged vacancies.

However, amidst intervention efforts by President Bola Tinubu, Ehie eventually resigned from the House. Nonetheless, the factional leader, Sokari Goodboy, confirmed that the House had already written to INEC for fresh elections during Ehie’s tenure as Speaker.

Although INEC has yet to confirm receiving the letter, a source within the commission indicated that any action would be based on court rulings regarding the matter, as some issues related to the defection and declaration of vacancies are still pending in court.

Legal experts emphasize that only the court has the authority to declare a seat vacant, underscoring the principle of separation of powers. Meanwhile, Governor Fubara and former Governor Peter Odili emphasized the administration’s commitment to governance and development during the inauguration of a road project, emphasizing a “People First” approach to governance

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