Five federal lawmakers from Rivers State, who are aligned with Governor Siminalayi Fubara, have urged lawmakers loyal to former governor Nyesom Wike, led by Martin Amaewhule, to cease presenting themselves as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The lawmakers made this declaration during a solidarity visit to the Victor Oko-Jumbo-led Assembly on Monday. This visit came just a week after pro-Wike federal lawmakers had visited the Amaewhule-led Assembly.
The visiting National Assembly members included Awaji-Inombek Abiante (Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro), Boma Goodhead (Akuku-Toru/Asari-Toru), Boniface Emerengwa (Ikwerre/Emohua), Allison Anderson Igbiks (Okrika/Ogu-Bolo), and Manuchim Umezuruike (Port Harcourt Federal Constituency 1).
Speaking on behalf of the group, Abiante explained that their visit aimed to provide clarity and counter misinformation spread by their pro-Wike counterparts. He criticized the recent visit by the pro-Wike lawmakers, stating that their remarks had raised concerns about the integrity of the caucus.
Abiante reassured the Oko-Jumbo-led Assembly that they were not alone, emphasizing that millions of Rivers State residents stand with them. He accused the pro-Wike lawmakers of misleading the public rather than clarifying issues, as they had claimed.
“A lie not rebutted could become the truth,” Abiante said, rejecting claims by the pro-Wike lawmakers that a judgment by Justice Omotosho had validated the legitimacy of Martin Amaewhule and 26 other state lawmakers. He argued that the ruling made no such pronouncement and reiterated that the 27 lawmakers, led by Amaewhule, had voluntarily defected in December 2023, thereby forfeiting their seats.
Citing Supreme Court rulings in similar cases from Plateau and Ondo states, Abiante insisted that the defected lawmakers had lost their positions. He also addressed questions about the functionality of the Oko-Jumbo-led Assembly, referencing former Chief Justice of Nigeria Walter Onnoghen’s ruling in Dapialong v. Dariye, which established that an Assembly can continue to function with its remaining members until vacancies are filled.
Abiante mocked Amaewhule and his colleagues for attempting to recant their defection, reminding them that they had submitted affidavits confirming their move. He stated that their actions were bringing disgrace to legislative practices, not just in Nigeria but beyond.
On the controversy surrounding the 2024 budget, Abiante dismissed ongoing legal disputes as irrelevant, noting that the year had already progressed beyond the contested matters. He reaffirmed that Governor Fubara would not act outside the law.
Abiante called on President Bola Tinubu, the National Judicial Council, and the Inspector General of Police to disregard the alleged misrepresentation of facts by Amaewhule and his group.
In response, Victor Oko-Jumbo thanked the visiting lawmakers for their support and vowed to lead the Rivers State House of Assembly without fear. He emphasized that the Rivers State government remained focused on governance and development, rather than political distractions.
Oko-Jumbo stated that the visit had rekindled the Assembly’s confidence and reiterated his position, declaring, “The 27 lawmakers are gone.”
