The newly-elected Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Victor Oko Jumbo, has said that his election into office is legal and constitutional.
This declaration comes after his election as the factional Speaker of the Assembly by two lawmakers loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara on Wednesday.
Jumbo, representing Bonny Constituency, took the oath of office as Speaker, succeeding Edison Ehie, who resigned from the position.
In his acceptance speech, Oko-Jumbo thanked the members for electing him and called on the Executive, Judiciary, and the public to disregard laws enacted by the previous Assembly led by Martin Amaewhule, describing them as “an exercise in futility.”
Oko-Jumbo cited the defection of 25 lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Party (APC) on December 11, 2023, as the basis for his assertion.
He stated that this defection led to the declaration of their seats as vacant by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on December 13, 2023.
The new Speaker further said that his sitting is the legally and constitutionally recognised House of Assembly. He urged Governor Fubara to cease dealing with the 25 former lawmakers loyal to Wike. He declared that his House is ready to work with the governor to promote the progress and welfare of Rivers State.
It should be recalled that the governor is in a running battle with his predecessor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over control of political structures in the state.
Their dispute led to the burning of the Assembly complex late last year.
The defection of about 25 lawmakers who were loyal to Wike eventually followed.
