The Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has scheduled January 21, 2025, to rule on a suit filed by Labour Party candidates and pro-Fubara lawmakers against the Rivers State House of Assembly and 27 lawmakers led by Martin Amaewhule.
The pro-Fubara lawmakers are Victor Oko-Jumbo, Sokari Goodboy, and Adolphus Timothy.
The plaintiffs are challenging the alleged defection of 27 lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Progressives Congress, APC, seeking the court’s interpretation of their actions under the law.
They argue that the defecting lawmakers should vacate their seats to enable the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to conduct bye-elections.
At the resumed hearing on Wednesday, parties confirmed the exchange of pleadings and evidence before presenting arguments on preliminary legal points.
Presiding Judge Emmanuel Obele subsequently adjourned for a ruling on these preliminary issues.
Counsel for the Labour Party, Cliford Chukwu, told journalists that his position remains that “the lawmakers’ seats should be declared vacant following their defection”.
On the other hand, Emeka Onyeka, counsel to the 27 lawmakers, explained that the court had decided to address preliminary issues before delving into the substantive matter.
DAILY POST reports that a video clip allegedly showing the defection of Amaewhule and the other lawmakers was presented and admitted as evidence during the proceedings.
The Amaewhule-led lawmakers, who are loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, had defected following the rift between the minister and the governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The lawmakers announced their defection from the PDP to the APC during plenary.