Atlantic Post

PORT HARCOURT, Rivers State — The political crisis engulfing the Rivers State House of Assembly has reached new heights as the House declared the seats of four prominent members vacant. In a decision that is bound to send shockwaves through the political landscape of the state, Hon. Edison Ogerenye Ehie (Ahoada East II), Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo (Bonny), Hon. Adolphus Timothy Oruibienimigha (Opobo/Nkoro), and Hon. Sokari Goodboy Sokari (Ahoada West) were unceremoniously ousted from their legislative positions.

At its 56th Legislative Sitting of the Second Session, the Rivers State House of Assembly invoked constitutional powers under Section 109 (1)(e), (f), and Section 109 (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to justify their actions. The move, according to the House, was prompted by the prolonged absence of these lawmakers from the legislative chamber, a claim the Assembly insists is backed by law. However, the decision is not without controversy, as it exposes deep-seated tensions and rivalries between different political factions within the state.

A Vacant Seat Drama: Constitutional Justification or Political Vendetta?

At the heart of the Assembly’s decision is a motion sponsored by Hon. Major Jack and supported by 25 other lawmakers, which cited the absence of the four members from legislative meetings without justifiable reasons. This absence, according to the Assembly, amounted to more than one-third of the total number of days the House met in the First Session of the Tenth Assembly. Further intensifying the matter is the claim that these members had missed all 56 legislative sittings of the Second Session—a grave accusation considering the importance of representation in a democratic institution.

While the declaration of vacant seats might appear justified on the surface, critics argue that this is a thinly veiled political vendetta aimed at silencing opposition voices and consolidating power within the Assembly. The affected members, who are supporter of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, see this move as the culmination of a long campaign of persecution.

For those familiar with the political climate in Rivers State, this latest development is emblematic of the power struggle that has defined the state’s politics for years. The rivalry between factions loyal to the governor and those aligned with other political interests has turned the Assembly into a battlefield for supremacy, with no clear end in sight.

Speaker Amaewhule: Standing Firm Amidst Political Firestorm

In what appeared to be a show of strength, Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule, reiterated that the decision to declare the seats vacant was not taken lightly. He pointed out that the four affected members had been suspended earlier but were recalled following a peace parley organised at the instance of the President. According to Speaker Amaewhule, the refusal of the suspended members to attend sittings even after the impeachment notice against the governor was withdrawn speaks volumes about their disregard for legislative duties.

Speaker Amaewhule wasted no time in reminding the Assembly that the Court of Appeal had upheld all injunctive orders previously given by the Federal High Court. He called on Governor Fubara to present the 2024 Appropriation Bill, which had been a point of contention between the warring factions. By reiterating the need for the governor to comply with the court rulings, Amaewhule was sending a clear message: the legislative process must continue, and the Assembly will not be held hostage by political discord.

Yet, while Speaker Amaewhule’s leadership has been praised by his supporters for standing up to perceived legislative negligence, others have criticised his approach, accusing him of being a puppet for formal Governor Nyesom Wike and using the Assembly to push a narrow political agenda. The declaration of the vacant seats is viewed by critics as an attempt to further marginalise dissenting voices within the House.

Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo Fires Back: A Crisis of Legitimacy

In a swift response, Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo, one of the affected lawmakers, fired back in a press conference, condemning the Assembly’s decision as a “joke taken too far.” According to Oko-Jumbo, the current Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule, and his cohort have no legal standing to declare the seats vacant, as they ceased to be legitimate members of the Assembly as far back as December 2023.

Oko-Jumbo’s response is based on the claim that Amaewhule and 24 other lawmakers had defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in December 2023, an action that he argues voided their membership in the Assembly. He cited an affidavit purported to have been deposed by Speaker Amaewhule himself in which the alleged defecting members justified their actions by claiming there was a division within the PDP. Oko-Jumbo reminded the public that, following the defection, their seats had already been declared vacant, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had been called upon to conduct by-elections to fill the vacancies.

Oko-Jumbo’s argument raises fundamental questions about the legitimacy of the current leadership of the Rivers State House of Assembly. If Amaewhule and his colleagues did indeed defect and were consequently ousted properly, their continued operation within the Assembly is not only illegal but also an affront to the principles of democracy. But, the Court of Appeal of Nigeria thinks otherwise. Oko-Jumbo’s press statement paints a picture of an Assembly in disarray, with factions manipulating legal provisions to suit their interests and further their political ambitions.

A House Divided: The Role of Governor Fubara in the Crisis

At the centre of the political storm engulfing the Rivers State Assembly is Governor Siminalayi Fubara, whose relationship with the House has been tumultuous, to say the least. While the governor has faced his own share of political battles within the state, his role in the Assembly crisis cannot be overlooked. The declaration of the vacant seats, while framed as a constitutional move, is widely perceived as part of the broader strategy to counter the governor’s influence within the Assembly by neutralising opposing lawmakers.

Governor Fubara’s refusal to present the 2024 Appropriation Bill before the Assembly has been a major point of contention between his administration and the legislative arm. By repeatedly ignoring the legislative process, Fubara has effectively brought governance in the state to a standstill, fuelling speculation that he is deliberately undermining the authority of the Assembly to maintain control over the state’s finances.

The decision of the Assembly to give the governor another opportunity to present the Appropriation Bill suggests that the House is eager to move forward, despite the ongoing political drama. However, it remains to be seen whether Fubara will take this opportunity to mend fences with the Assembly or continue to use the crisis as a tool to entrench his power.

INEC in the Crosshairs: Will There Be By-Elections?

As the political crisis in the Rivers State Assembly deepens, attention is now shifting to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which has been called upon to conduct by-elections to fill the vacant seats. However, with both factions claiming to be the legitimate representatives of their constituencies, the situation presents a major dilemma for the electoral body.

On one hand, INEC is faced with the legal precedent set by Oko-Jumbo and his colleagues, who argue that the seats of Amaewhule and his group were declared vacant in December 2023. On the other hand, the current leadership of the Assembly insists that it has the legal authority to declare the seats of Oko-Jumbo and others vacant, a position supported by the House’s latest motion.

INEC’s decision on whether to conduct by-elections will be closely watched, as it has the potential to either resolve the crisis or further inflame tensions in the state. Should INEC side with Amaewhule’s faction, it risks being seen as complicit in a political power grab. Conversely, if it aligns with Oko-Jumbo’s position, it could face accusations of undermining the Assembly’s constitutional authority.

A Test for Nigerian Democracy

The political drama unfolding in the Rivers State House of Assembly is more than just a subnational power struggle; it is a litmus test for the state of democracy in Nigeria. The Constitution is clear about the rights and responsibilities of lawmakers, but the manipulation of legal provisions for political gain has become all too common in the country’s executive and legislative bodies.

For the people of Rivers State, the crisis in the Assembly is a betrayal of their democratic rights. The prolonged absence of representation from key constituencies means that the voices of the people have been effectively silenced in the corridors of power. As the political elite engage in power games, the everyday concerns of the electorate—education, healthcare, infrastructure—are being sidelined.

In a country where the rule of law is often subverted for political expediency, the situation in Rivers State serves as a stark reminder that democracy is fragile. The actions of the Rivers State Assembly, and the responses of the affected lawmakers, reflect a deep erosion of the democratic values that should underpin governance in Nigeria.

What Next for Rivers State?

As the dust settles on the latest political battle in Rivers State, one thing is clear: the state’s political landscape is more fractured than ever. The declaration of the vacant seats is unlikely to resolve the underlying issues that have plagued the Assembly, and the ongoing power struggle between the governor and his opponents will continue to cast a shadow over the state’s governance.

For Governor Fubara, the next few weeks will be critical. His willingness—or lack thereof—to present the 2024 Appropriation Bill will be seen as a key indicator of his intentions. Should he continue to delay, the crisis in the Assembly will only deepen, with potentially devastating consequences for the state.

For the people of Rivers State, the hope is that the political elites will put aside their differences and prioritise the needs of their constituents. However, in a state where power and influence often trump the will of the people, such hopes may be in vain.