Drama As Federal Lawmakers Tell INEC To Conduct New Election To Replace 27 Pro-Wike Lawmakers After Their Seats Were Declared Vacant
A coalition of federal lawmakers from opposition parties in the National Assembly, known as the G60, has applauded the appointment of Hon. Victor Oko Jumbo, the representative for Bonny LGA constituency in the Rivers State House of Assembly, as the new speaker of the State Assembly.
Jumbo’s election follows the resignation of Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie, who now serves as the Chief of Staff to the state government, and the declaration of 27 seats of House members who defected from the PDP to the APC as vacant. The 27 lawmakers are loyal to the FCT Minsiter, Nyesom Wike.
In a statement released by their spokesperson, Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, the Opposition Lawmakers expressed confidence in the new speaker and encouraged him to collaborate with Governor Siminalayi Fubara to ensure continued delivery of democratic dividends to the people of Rivers State.
They emphasized that Jumbo’s appointment signals the end of the alleged political turbulence and legislative disruptions orchestrated by former members of the House of Assembly.
Furthermore, they called upon the Governor of Rivers State to initiate legal action against the dismissed lawmakers, urging the Magistrate Court to prosecute them for impersonation. Additionally, they urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to promptly conduct bye-elections to fill the vacant seats left by the 27 former members of the State House of Assembly.
