The Rivers State House of Assembly has reversed its decision to declare the seats of three lawmakers loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara vacant, following their letters of apology to the legislature.
The lawmakers are Victor Oko-Jumbo, representing Bonny Constituency; Sokari Goodboy Sokari of Ahoada West Constituency; and Orubienimigha Timothy of Opobo/Nkoro Constituency.
The decision was taken during Monday’s plenary after Speaker Martin Amaewhule read separate appeals submitted by the lawmakers, who apologised for their prolonged absence from legislative sittings.
In a statement issued by the Speaker’s media aide, Martins Wachukwu, the lawmakers explained that they had failed to resume attendance because they did not receive official communication informing them that their earlier suspension had been lifted.
The Assembly said the lawmakers were among four members suspended on October 30, 2023, during the political crisis that engulfed the state legislature.
Their suspension was lifted on December 20, 2023, following a presidential intervention, but the trio allegedly continued to stay away from legislative activities.
Consequently, the House declared their seats vacant on October 15, 2024, citing provisions of Section 109 of the 1999 Constitution, and notified the Independent National Electoral Commission of the decision.
However, while considering their latest appeals, lawmakers supported the request for reinstatement, with Amaewhule saying the Speaker’s office had found some merit in their explanation that they might not have received the communication on the lifting of their suspension.
Following a vote in favour of the appeals, the Assembly rescinded its earlier decision and invited the three lawmakers to resume their legislative duties alongside their colleagues.
The development came a day after the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, reportedly led members of the Assembly and the 23 local government chairmen to a closed-door meeting with Fubara at the governor’s private residence on Sunday.
The meeting was said to have involved the Senator Magnus Abe-led reconciliation committee and members of the Rainbow Coalition, amid efforts to resolve lingering political differences ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Wike has been appointed coordinator of President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 presidential campaign council in Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory.
