Renowned human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has reaffirmed that the Rivers State House of Assembly members who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) have forfeited their seats in the legislative body. This declaration comes after approximately 25 lawmakers loyal to the former Governor of Rivers State and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, defected to the APC amidst a political impasse involving him and Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Falana, who initially stated last year that the lawmakers would lose their seats due to their defection, has reemphasized his stance. “The 25 lawmakers who defected have lost their seats and, consequently, their rights to remain members of the assembly,” he asserted on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics program.
Citing the Supreme Court’s ruling in the case of Adetunde and the Labour Party, Falana noted that lawmakers cannot decamp and remain members of a legislative house in Nigeria unless they can demonstrate a division within their party. “Today, the PDP is united,” he emphasized.
A fresh crisis has erupted in the Rivers State Assembly, with some lawmakers electing Victor Oko-Jumbo as the speaker. Oko-Jumbo, representing the Bonny constituency, was elected by lawmakers reportedly loyal to Governor Fubara. However, the exact number of lawmakers who supported his election is unclear. Falana has stressed that a quorum is necessary for the House to conduct proceedings, as defined by the Constitution. “To remove the governor through impeachment, a two-thirds majority of the legislature is required, which is very clear,” he added.
