The speaker of the Rivers House of Assembly, Edison Ehie, has declared the seats of lawmakers who defected vacant.
The defectors, allegedly loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, had left the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the All-Progressives Congress (APC).
During a plenary session held with only lawmakers loyal to the governor in attendance, Ehie announced the vacancy of the defectors’ seats.
This move occurred alongside the demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex located at Moscow Road, Port Harcourt. Ten bulldozers were reportedly driven into the premises to carry out the demolition.
Ehie explained that the complex needed repairs due to an explosion on October 30, 2023.
He mentioned that the governor would provide an alternative place for the lawmakers to convene in the meantime.
These developments take place amid a lingering political crisis in Rivers State.
