The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Victor Oko-Jumbo, has issued an urgent request to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct bye-elections for the 27 vacant seats within the Assembly.
This call follows the recent removal of a key legal obstruction that had previously delayed the elections.
Speaking at a press conference in Port Harcourt on Friday, November 1, 2024, Oko-Jumbo recounted the series of events leading to the vacancies. The speaker explained that Martin Amaewhule and 26 other legislators abandoned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) on December 11, 2023, without valid justification. This defection occurred shortly after their unsuccessful attempt to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara on October 30, 2023.
Oko-Jumbo further noted that Amaewhule and his fellow lawmakers subsequently filed a lawsuit (FHC/ABJ/CS/1681/2023) against INEC and four additional parties on December 13, 2023. Despite initiating the suit, they did not actively pursue the case, which ultimately led to its dismissal on October 30, 2024.
With this legal barrier now eliminated, Oko-Jumbo has urged INEC to proceed swiftly with the bye-elections. He emphasized the importance of restoring stability in the Assembly and reducing disruptions caused by the prolonged vacancies, which have left constituents without representation.
“The sole impediment preventing INEC from conducting a bye-election to fill the 27 vacant seats in the Rivers State House of Assembly was the Interlocutory Injunction restraining them,” Oko-Jumbo stated. “Now that Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1681/2023 has been struck out, the injunction is no longer valid.”
Reaffirming his dedication to upholding democratic processes, Oko-Jumbo called on INEC to act promptly to restore representation and maintain the legislative integrity of Rivers State.
