Rivers Political Crisis: Assembly Accepts Apology, Orders Three Lawmakers Back To Work

The Rivers State House of Assembly has reversed its earlier decision to declare the seats of three lawmakers vacant, directing them to resume their legislative duties amid ongoing efforts to resolve the political crisis in the state.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the decision was reached during plenary on Monday after the lawmakers submitted a letter explaining that they had not received the notice directing them to return to sittings following the intervention of President Bola Tinubu.

The lawmakers, Victor Oko-Jumbo, representing Bonny Constituency; Adolphus Timothy Oruibienimigha, representing Opobo/Nkoro Constituency; and Sokari Goodboy Sokari, representing Ahoada West Constituency, reportedly apologised to the House. Their apology was accepted, paving the way for their return to legislative duties.

The three lawmakers were suspended on October 30, 2023, the same day the Assembly made its first attempt to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara. They have subsequently been absent from legislative sittings for nearly three years.

Their reinstatement comes amid renewed efforts to reconcile the opposing political camps in Rivers State. On Sunday, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, led members of the Rainbow Coalition to a meeting with Fubara at the governor’s private residence in Port Harcourt.

The meeting was part of ongoing efforts to ease tensions between the two camps and resolve the protracted political crisis.

However, the reconciliation process has attracted criticism from some stakeholders, who have questioned whether it adequately addresses the concerns of all parties. Some critics had argued that the initial arrangements did not provide for the return of the three lawmakers to the Assembly.

Despite their reinstatement, the lawmakers’ political future remains uncertain. They were reportedly screened out of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election process and are therefore not expected to return to the Assembly after the expiration of their current tenure.

The Assembly’s decision marks a fresh development in Rivers State’s political crisis, as efforts continue to restore stability and improve relations among the key political actors.