The Rivers State House of Assembly has been plunged into chaos, with a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt postponing proceedings in a case that could determine the fate of 27 lawmakers who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The lawmakers, loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, announced their departure from the PDP on December 11, 2023.
At the heart of the crisis is a contentious debate over whether the lawmakers’ defection warrants the loss of their seats. Professor Yusuf Ali (SAN), representing the applicants, argued that the lawmakers’ decision to switch parties is a clear breach of the constitution and should result in their removal from office.
The defense team, led by Ferdinand Orbih (SAN), has requested more time to review new documents submitted by the applicants, prompting the court to delay its ruling. This development has sparked intense speculation among political analysts and legal experts, with many questioning the implications of the court’s decision on the stability of the Rivers State legislature.
The crisis has its roots in a deeper power struggle between two rival factions within the state legislature. One faction supports the current Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, while the other is loyal to Nyesom Wike. The applicants, including the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo, are seeking the court’s declaration that the seats of the 27 lawmakers be vacated.
As the legal battle unfolds, the people of Rivers State await the outcome with bated breath, hoping for a resolution that will bring much-needed stability to the state’s legislature. The case has sparked intense debate among legal analysts and political experts, with some arguing that the court’s decision could have far-reaching implications for the country’s political landscape.
In a surprising twist, a similar case was dismissed by the Federal High Court in Abuja in September 2024, citing that the case was statute-barred, as the Action People’s Party (APP) failed to file within the 14-day window permitted by law. This development has raised questions about the consistency of the judiciary in handling similar cases.
The court has adjourned the case until April 30, 2025, when it will hear the adoption of the processes. Additionally, Justice Emmanuel Obile has stated that the court will wait for the decision of the Supreme Court on other related cases involving the Rivers State government before moving forward with this case.
As the people of Rivers State eagerly await the outcome of this landmark case, one thing is clear: the future of the state’s legislature hangs precariously in the balance. Will the court’s decision bring stability to the state’s legislature, or will it further exacerbate the crisis? Only time will tell.
