Court Declares Amaewhule, 24 Lawmakers’ Seats Vacant
By Abiola Olawale
A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has granted an order of interlocutory injunction, restraining Martin Amaewhule and 24 other lawmakers from parading and holding themselves as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The court also barred Governor Siminalayi Fubara from dealing or accepting any resolution or bill from the Amaewhule-led House of Assembly.
The presiding judge, Justice C.N. Wali, held that the lawmakers, believed to be loyalists of Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), can no longer carry out their capacities as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, as their legislative seats have been declared vacant with effect from December 13, 2023.
The ruling was sequel to a suit filed by the three-member Rivers Assembly loyal to Fubara, including Speaker Victor Oko-Jumbo, Sokari Goodboy and Orubienimigha Adolphus-Timothy.
The judge ruled: “An order of interlocutory injunction is granted, restraining the 1st to 25th defendants from parading and holding out themselves as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and/or meeting/sitting at the Auditorium of the House of Assembly Quarters located at off Aba Road, Port Harcourt or at any other place whatsoever, to purport to carry out the legislative business of the Rivers State House of Assembly, their legislative seats having been declared vacant pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit
“An order of interlocutory injunction is hereby made, restraining the 26th to 28th defendants from dealing with, interfacing, accepting any resolutions, bills and/or however interacting with the 1st to 25th defendants in their purported capacities as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, their legislative seats having been declared vacant with effect from 13th December 2023, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.”
The New Diplomat reports that Rivers State has been in the news for over six months over the cold war between Fubara and Wike.
While the reasons for the acrimony between the duo remain top secret, some insider sources said Wike and Fubara are purportedly battling for control of the oil-rich state’s resources and political machinery.
Sources have said that Fubara is allegedly not listening to Wike, who was vital in his victory at the 2023 governorship election.
The crisis has since festered, as about 27 lawmakers of the Rivers State House of Assembly including the Speaker, Rt. Hon Martins Amaewhule dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and issued threats to impeach Fubara.
