Opposition Lawmakers Reject Court Judgment Declaring Rivers 27 Legislators Case As Pre-Election Issue.
Nigeria Opposition Lawmakers have rejected the Federal High Court judgement declaring the decampment of 27 sacked Rivers State lawmakers as a Pre-election issue.
The coalition lawmakers, who insisted that the judgement is an assault on constitutional democracy, added that nothing will stop Governor Siminalayi Fubara from completing his tenure and even winning a second term if he so pleases.
The group said that Rt.Hon. Oko Jumbo remains the valid Speaker Of Rivers State House of Assembly based on existing High Court judgements and rulings recognising as such.
The Federal High Court in Abuja had on Friday dismissed a defection suit instituted against the 27 former members of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Ezenwo Wike by Action Peoples Party (APP).
The suit seeking to replace the 27 lawmakers on account of their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) was dismissed.
Justice Peter Lifu, who delivered the judgment held that the suit instituted by the Action Peoples Party (APP) was statute barred having not been filed within 14 days allowed by law because in his thinking decampment of lawmakers is a pre-election issue.
A judgement which will alter the interpretation of what constitutes pre-election since decampment is not among the issues that constitute pre-election.
Reacting to this judgment, the Opposition Coalition Lawmakers, at a world press conference by its spokesperson, Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, stated that the pro-Wike lawmakers’ seats remain vacant because in line with the law, they defected to APC and are no longer members of the PDP.
Rivers Governor Siminialayi Fubara Shifts To APP Amid PDP Crisis Ahead Of Local Government Elections
According to a report from The Nation Nigeria. In a significant political maneuver, Rivers State Governor Siminialayi Fubara and his political allies have opted to contest the upcoming local government elections on the platform of the Action Peoples Party (APP) rather than the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). This decision follows ongoing turmoil within the PDP, which has seen a shift in power dynamics that has left Fubara’s faction sidelined.
Reports indicate that the crisis within the PDP has become increasingly evident, particularly as the faction led by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, has consolidated control over the party’s structures in Rivers State. This control has manifested itself in various congresses across the state, where Wike’s supporters have effectively taken over the party’s machinery, leaving Fubara and his supporters in a precarious position.
Fubara’s camp sought to secure an alternative platform after they were unable to dominate the PDP and subsequently obtained a court injunction to prevent participation in the party’s congresses. Despite this legal strategy, Wike’s faction managed to use another court order to establish their authority, further entrenching their dominance.
With the PDP’s internal conflict deepening and no indication that control would revert to Fubara’s faction despite promises from several national leaders of the party, the governor’s team recognized the need for a new strategy. Consequently, they turned their attention to the APP, a party that has not been prominently featured in the state’s political landscape.
The emergence of the APP as Fubara’s choice has gained traction, with allies actively promoting its activities and helping to increase its visibility in the region. This shift has become a reality as Fubara’s supporters have been selected as candidates for local government chairmanship and council positions under the APP banner.
Recently, following the controversial candidate selection process, Fubara’s camp announced the final list of candidates for various local government areas. Notably, many candidates were drawn from the ranks of the existing Caretaker Committee chairmen, while new faces were also introduced in certain regions.
He added that there are many valid rulings of the High Court that have restrained them from illegally parading themselves as lawmakers and declaring Oko Jumbo as the Valid Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Ikenga said Oko Jumbo remains the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, and they are going to appeal the ruling.
“The Opposition considered it very strange and unknown to law that issues of decampment which can happen any time within the four years mandate of a lawmaker has now been declared a pre-election issue that must come within 14 days like primary election.
“The constitution recognises issues of pre-election around primary election and not decampment which can only be established once the court first rules on it before the by-election can be conducted and hence can’t be termed pre-election,” he said.
Peoplesmind