Defection: Rivers Speaker Writes INEC to Conduct Fresh Election to Replace 25 Lawmakers
The new Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly , Rt. Hon. Barr. Edison Ogerenye Ehie, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to Conduct a by-election to fill the vacant seats in the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The Speaker in a letter dated December 14, 2023 directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct fresh election on the twenty five (25) State Constituencies in the Rivers State House of Assembly in compliance with Section 109(1)(g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).
The letter was 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 24 State Constituencies in the Rivers State House of Assembly”.
The letter reads, “I write to formally bring to your notice vacancies in the seats of the under listed constituencies and membership pursuant to Section 109(1) (22 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, 7073.
“As a result, in accordance with Section 109 (7) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and by Resolution ot 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 by-election to be conducted to fill the vacant seats in the
Rivers State House of Assembly.
“That the seats of the aforementioned decamped members of the Rivers State House of Assembly are declared vacant by this House in accordance with Section 109(1) and (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
“That the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is directed to conduct 2 fresh election on the twenty five (23) State Constituencies in the Rivers State House of Assembly in compliance with Section 109(1)(g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 {as amended).
“That the House resolved and hereby direct the Accountant General of Rivers State to give effect to the resolution of this House and suspends the payment of the salaries and other emoluments due to the former members of this House”.
The crisis between Messrs Fubara and Wike triggered the splitting of the assembly into two factions – Martin Amaewhule led a 27-member faction loyal to Mr Wike while Mr Ehie’s faction had Governor Fubara’s support.
A power tussle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who is now the FCT minister, triggered the crisis in the assembly.
The crisis which has persisted despite the intervention of President Bola Tinubu, took a new dimension on Monday, with the 27 lawmakers announcing their defection to the APC.
