The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie, has formally communicated to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) regarding the existing vacancies in the Assembly. This move comes after the declaration of the seats of Rt Hon Martin Amaewhule and 24 others as vacant due to their defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a recent sitting held at the temporary hall provided by the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, last week Wednesday, the Speaker announced the declaration of the seats vacant. The 27 lawmakers had defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC.
Emphasizing that there is no internal conflict within the PDP justifying the defections, Speaker Ehie stated that the decision aligns with Section 109 (1) (g) and 2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended.
He called upon INEC to conduct fresh elections to fill the vacant seats, emphasizing the importance of ensuring proper representation for the people.”
