Rivers Assembly recalls three Fubara loyalists after apology

File photo: Rivers State House of Assembly

The Rivers State House of Assembly has recalled three lawmakers loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who were suspended during the political crisis that rocked the state.

The Assembly rescinded its decision to declare the seats of the three lawmakers vacant during plenary on Monday.

The lawmakers are Victor Oko-Jumbo, representing Bonny Constituency; Sokari Goodboy Sokari, representing Ahoada West Constituency; and Orubienimigha Timothy, representing Opobo/Nkoro Constituency.

A statement issued on Monday by the media aide to the Speaker, Martins Wachukwu, said their reinstatement followed letters of apology submitted by the lawmakers.

The statement, titled “Rivers Assembly Rescinds Decision on 3 Vacant Seats,” was sent to journalists.

The statement read, “Riding on the letters of appeal sent to the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule, the trio of Hon Timothy Oruibienimigha, Hon Victor Oko-Jumbo and Hon Sokari Goodboy Sokari, representing Opobo/Nkoro, Bonny and Ahoada West constituencies, respectively, the House on Monday, at its 68th Legislative Sitting of the Fourth Session of the Tenth Assembly, rescinded its earlier decision declaring their seats vacant.

“In their separate letters of appeal read by the Speaker at plenary, the trio expressed deep apologies to the House, claiming that they failed to resume sitting with their colleagues because they had not received correspondence informing them that their suspension, imposed on October 30, 2023, was lifted on December 20, 2023, following presidential intervention.

“Debating the acceptability or otherwise of the appeals, members spoke in favour of the pleas and urged the House to rescind its earlier decision.

“Commenting on the letters and summarising members’ submissions, the Speaker, Rt Hon Amaewhule, emphasised that, irrespective of the emotion-laden tenor of their appeals, investigations had shown that they might not have received the correspondence, as claimed.”

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Amaewhule further said the law did not act on emotion but focused on justice, regardless of a person’s status.

The statement continued, “When the Speaker put the question on rescinding the earlier decision to a vote, members voted in the affirmative, expressing their willingness to have their colleagues rejoin them in representing their respective constituencies.

“Recall that, following the political crisis that engulfed the state, particularly the House of Assembly, four members were suspended at the 84th Legislative Sitting of the First Session of the Tenth Assembly on October 30, 2023. Following the presidential parley of December 18, 2023, the suspension was lifted on December 20, 2023, at the 89th Legislative Sitting of the First Session.

“However, following the continued failure or refusal of the trio to attend and participate in legislative sittings and the business of the Assembly without just cause, the House, at its 56th Legislative Sitting of the Second Session of the Tenth Assembly on October 15, 2024, resolved, in compliance with Section 109(1)(e) and (f), and (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to declare their seats vacant and accordingly notified the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct elections to fill the vacancies.”

After the motion was put to a vote and approved, Amaewhule asked the lawmakers to resume sitting and rejoin their colleagues.

The PUNCH reports that the development came a day after Wike led members of the state House of Assembly and the 23 local government chairmen to Fubara’s private residence where a closed-door meeting was held at about 4.30 pm on Sunday.

Sources said the meeting, involving Wike, the Senator Magnus Abe-led reconciliation committee and members of the Rainbow Coalition, was aimed at resolving outstanding differences between the two political figures, formerly political godfather and godson, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Wike was appointed coordinator of President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 presidential campaign council in Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory.