The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Ehie Ogerenye Edison, formally notifies INEC of 25 vacant seats, triggering a bye-election request.
In a letter dated December 14, 2023, 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,” Speaker Ehie cites defections from the People’s Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress as the reason for declaring seats vacant, NN News Media sighted.
The Speaker’s letter states, “…their seats were declared vacant” as a result of the defections, and on behalf of the Rivers State House of Assembly, a request is made for a bye-election to fill the vacant seats.
The recent political landscape in the state saw 27 lawmakers, formerly associated with the PDP, switching to the APC, prompting the swift declaration of their seats as vacant by legislators loyal to Governor Fubara.
Led by Martins Amaewhule, this faction, allegedly backed by Nyesom Wike, is part of the ongoing power struggle between Wike and Fubara for control of the state’s political structure.
In a related development, the State High Court in Port Harcourt issued an order allowing Fubara-backed legislators to conduct legislative business without interference.
This occurred during the same week when the state government ordered the demolition of the assembly complex, citing concerns about structural defects.
