The pro-Nyesom Wike Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Martin Amaewhule, has declared the seats of the four pro-Governor Sim Fubara lawmakers, including Edison Ehie, Chief of Staff to the Governor, as vacant. This action, according to the lawmakers, whose seats, the Governor insists are vacant, follows the absence of the pro-Fubara lawmakers from legislative sessions for 152 days.
The pro-Fubara lawmakers have since constituted themselves into the State’s Assembly and have Victor Oko-Jumbo as their Speaker.
During a session of the pro-Wike lawmakers on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, their own Speaker, Amaewhule, stated that Ehie did not formally notify the House about his new position, prompting the decision to declare his seat vacant. The Assembly also addressed the cases of Victor Oko-Jumbo and two other lawmakers, confirming that their long absence without permission violated the 1999 Constitution.
As a result, the Assembly under his leadership, has informed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to organize elections within 90 days to fill the vacant seats.
Additionally, the Assembly has allowed Governor Fubara another opportunity to present the 2024 budget after an Appeal Court overturned a previous ₦800 billion budget submitted to a rival House led by Ehie.
These developments reflect ongoing political tensions in the Rivers State Assembly, raising concerns about governance and representation in the state.
