By Kamsi Anayo
Edison Ehie, the speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to Gov. Siminalayi Fubara on Wednesday, declared the seats of the 27 members of the House, who recently defected to the All Progressives vacant.
The 27 legislators who supported Nyesom Wike, the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, recently dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in an effort to remove the state governor.
The affected lawmakers were not present at the sitting where their seats were declared vacant.
The four-member Assembly announced that the decision to declare the seats vacant was in line with Section 109 (1) (g) and 2 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended.
After reading the names of the impacted legislators, the speaker urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to hold new elections within the legally mandated window of time to occupy the roles.
He said: “Distinguished colleagues, the House will duly inform the Independent National Electoral Commission of the vacancies in the Rivers State House of Assembly and indeed, conduct a fresh election to fill the above vacancies.”
The member representing Okrika Constituency in the Rivers State House Of Assembly, Hon. Linda Somari Stewart, has reportedly returned to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Hon. Stewart made a U-turn on her earlier defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) with other 27 Lawmakers allegedly loyal to the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike.
On Monday, the 27 Lawmakers ditched the PDP and announced their defection to the APC as the political atmosphere in the oil rich state continues to heat up.
The State House of Assembly became a theatre of war following attempt to Impeach the Governor Siminalayi Fubara which culminated into burning of the Assembly complex on Oct. 20.
