The factional Speaker of Rivers House of Assembly, Edison Ehie on Wednesday declared seats of 27 of his colleagues being led by Martin Amaewhule vacant for defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to All Progressives Congress, APC.
The Amaewhule faction of the Assembly loyal to former governor Nyesom Wike in the ongoing tussle for power with the incumbent Siminalayi Fubara over control of the political structure in the State announced their defection to APC on Monday.
However, a Rivers High Court recognised Ehie who is leading four members of the House of Assembly as the authentic Speaker of the Rivers Assembly on Tuesday.
Based on the court recognition, Governor Fubara had on Wednesday morning presented the state’s 2024 budget to the Edison-led four-member faction of the House of Assembly.
The Edison faction sat in the Government House to receive the budget as the state government had embarked on the demolition of the sprawling Rivers Assembly complex early Wednesday morning.
Before the arrival of the governor, the Edison had declared the seats of all 27 lawmakers vacant.
He said his action was in line with section 109 (1) and (2) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended.
Assistant Legal Adviser of PDP Rivers State, Pepple Victor Fred, had also written to the State PDP Acting Chairman demanding the immediate declaration of the defectors’ seats vacant at Rivers House of Assembly on Tuesday.
In a letter sighted online, he gave the party chairman a 24-hour ultimatum to issue the declaration.
Below is the Letter posted online:
Rivers State Chapter
LETTER:
Dear Aaron Chukwuemeka,
RE: DEFECTION OF 27 RIVERS STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY MEMBERS FROM OUR PARTY THE PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC PARTY (PDP) TO THE ALL PROGRESSIVE CONGRESS (APC)
11th December, 2023
IN RE: DEMAND THAT YOU TAKE IMMEDIATE NECESSARY STEPS TO DECLARE THE SEATS OF THE DEFECTORS VACANT.
It is no longer news that in the morning hours of 11 December 2023, 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly elected under the platform of our party, The People’s Democratic Party dumped our party to the All Progressive Congress (APC).
This their action is without any justification as there is no factionalization, fragmentation, splintering or division within the People Democratic Party (PDP) Rivers State under your current leadership.
In view of this unconstitutional Action by the lawmakers, which is nothing short of Anti-party Activity, I employ you to take the immediate necessary action to declare their seats vacant as provided by our extant laws.
Kindly take notice that at your refusal, failure and/or neglect to act accordingly within 24 hours of your receipt of this letter, I shall, acting in my capacity as the Asst. Legal
Adviser of our party; The People Democratic Party (PDP) Rivers State Chapter proceeded to take expedient actions for and on behalf of our dear party to preserve the integrity and good fortunes of the Peoples Democratic Party.
Please accept the assurance of my warm regard, even as you take this under advisement.
Pepple Victor Fred, Esq
Asst. State Legal Adviser
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
Rivers State Chapter
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