Rivers: Court to rule on Labour Party suit against pro-Wike lawmakers in January 2025
The Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has scheduled January 21, 2025, to rule on a suit filed by Labour Party (LP) candidates and pro-Siminalayi Fubara lawmakers against the Rivers State House of Assembly and 27 lawmakers led by Martin Amaewhule.
The pro-Fubara lawmakers involved in the suit include Victor Oko-Jumbo, Sokari Goodboy, and Adolphus Timothy.
The plaintiffs are challenging the alleged defection of 27 lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). They are asking the court to interpret the legality of the defections, arguing that the defecting lawmakers should vacate their seats and trigger bye-elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
During the resumed hearing on Wednesday, both parties confirmed the exchange of pleadings and evidence before addressing preliminary legal points. Presiding Judge Emmanuel Obele adjourned the case for a ruling on these preliminary matters.
Cliford Chukwu, counsel for the Labour Party, told journalists that he believes “the lawmakers’ seats should be declared vacant following their defection.” Meanwhile, Emeka Onyeka, representing the 27 lawmakers, explained that the court is first addressing preliminary issues before moving on to the main case.
A video clip allegedly showing Amaewhule and other lawmakers defecting was presented and admitted as evidence during the proceedings. The lawmakers, loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, defected after a rift between Wike and Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara. They publicly announced their defection from the PDP to the APC during a plenary session.
