“Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze has declared that 27 Rivers State lawmakers, led by Martin Amaewhule, lost their seats after defecting to the APC. Eze cites legal provisions and judicial rulings while urging Governor Fubara to stand firm amidst political tensions.”
Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct nPDP, has declared that 27 Rivers State lawmakers, including Martin Amaewhule, no longer have legal standing as members of the State House of Assembly.
In a press release on Friday, Eze emphasized that the lawmakers lost their seats after defecting from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC in December 2023. He referred to Section 109(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution, stating that their defection automatically nullified their positions.
The crisis in the Rivers State Assembly, which has persisted due to a power struggle between Governor Siminalaye Fubara and former Governor Nyesom Wike, deepened with the defection of the lawmakers. Eze explained that despite President Bola Tinubu’s directive to resolve the dispute peacefully, Amaewhule and the defectors failed to withdraw their legal suit, further complicating the situation.
Eze highlighted that a recent Court of Appeal ruling dismissed Governor Fubara’s challenge regarding the nullification of the 2024 Rivers State budget, which had been passed by the defected lawmakers. According to the ruling, Governor Fubara must re-present the budget to a properly constituted House of Assembly.
Eze criticized the political maneuvering in Rivers State, accusing self-serving politicians of attempting to undermine the judiciary. He urged the courts to deliver judgments based on merit and avoid being dragged into the political conflict.
“Martin Amaewhule and his co-defectors ceased to be lawmakers the moment they switched parties. No court ruling is needed to enforce this. Governor Fubara should not give them any legitimacy by re-presenting the budget to a body that no longer has legal standing,” Eze asserted.
He further warned that efforts to destabilize Rivers State, including attempts to impeach the governor, would be resisted by the people. Eze called on Governor Fubara and his supporters to remain calm as legal processes unfold.
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