The Rivers State Government has clarified that the recent Appeal Court judgement in Abuja does not reinstate the Martin Amaewhule-led faction of the state House of Assembly, News About Nigeria reports.
In a statement released in Port Harcourt on Thursday, the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Israel Iboroma, said that Amaewhule and 26 other members lost their seats automatically upon defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on December 11, 2023.
Iboroma stated that the issue of their defection was not addressed in the Federal High Court or the Court of Appeal, declaring that no court has legitimised their membership in the House of Assembly since their defection.
He said that, according to Section 109(1)(g) of the Nigerian Constitution, their seats became vacant immediately after their public defection.
The Attorney General elaborated on the timeline of events, noting that after a failed impeachment attempt against the governor in October 2023, the Rivers State House of Assembly split into two factions.
The Amaewhule faction later filed a suit in the Federal High Court in November 2023.
Following their defection in December, Iboroma pointed out that the governor presented the 2024 Appropriation Bill to the House led by Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie, who was recognised as the Speaker at that time.
Iboroma further stated that following a crisis within the Assembly, the governor complied with a directive from the President of Nigeria to withdraw court cases in the interest of peace.
However, he noted that Amaewhule and his faction did not follow suit, instead obtaining a judgement against the governor.
In light of the Court of Appeal’s recent ruling, Iboroma addressed growing misinterpretations regarding the status of Amaewhule and his faction, urging the public to disregard false information suggesting that they remain members of the Assembly.
He confirmed that the governor plans to appeal the Court of Appeal’s judgement to the Supreme Court and seeks a stay of execution on the ruling.
The Rivers State Government urges residents to remain vigilant against misinformation during this tumultuous period.
