Pro-Wike Lawmakers’ Denial of Decampment, Misinterpretation of Supreme Court Ruling, Provocative, Attempt to Destabilise Rivers-Opposition Lawmakers
Nigeria’s Opposition Lawmakers Coalition has described the endless denial of decampment by the sacked former Rivers State House of Assembly lawmakers led by former speaker, Martin Amaewhule and the endless misinterpretation of the ruling of the Supreme court is a provocative back door attempt to destabilise governance in the state and regain their lost seats.
The lawmakers in a statement by its spokesperson, Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere stated that the 27 sacked lawmakers loyal to FCT minister Nyesom Wike attempts to deny their decampment as fruitless and being oiled from FCT resources.
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The lawmakers recalled how the Rivers State House of Assembly members on December 2023 decamped to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
They stated that in line with the constitution, they lost their positions in the lawmaking body, and subsequently an order from Rivers State High Court, in May 2024 barring the lawmakers from parading themselves as members of the state legislature after they defected from the PDP to the APC.
The statement reads, “The endless denial of decampment by the sacked former Rivers State House of Assembly lawmakers led by former speaker, Martins is a provocative back door attempt to destabilise governance in the state. The misinterpretation of the ruling of the Supreme Court after Gov.Fubara withdrew his Appeal over the already spent 2024 budget, will not return legitimacy to the former lawmakers.
“Recall that in 2023, It’s widely known that these 27 Law makers publicly decamped to APC and have at various times deposed to Affidavits even in a suit at the Federal High Court in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/1681/CS/2023 that they’re now members of the APC owing to the alleged crisis in PDP.
“In line with the constitution, they lost their positions in the lawmaking body, and subsequently an order from Rivers State High Court, in May 2024 barred them from parading themselves as members of the state legislature after they defected from the PDP to the APC.
“Since then it has been endless gimmicks and delusions oiled by FCT resources as they try so hard to misinterprete court judgements, in their attempts to illegally return to the legislature. Their seats remain vacant because in line with the law they defected to APC and are no longer members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and there are many valid rulings of High Court that have restrained them from illegally parading as lawmakers.
“Governor Siminalayi Fubara has never been the aggressor, rather it’s the Wike group, that don’t want peace, and they will not succeed in it. No Appeal Court decision has affirmed or ruled or decided on the illegality of decampment of 27 sacked Pro-Wike lawmakers. There was a discussion where the President said all legal matters should be withdrawn so that peace can reign but the wike group secretly continued their case.
“Wike group never wanted peace, looking for ways to destabilize the government. It will not work. The Governor being a peace loving man listened to the President, and withdrew his counter affidavit in that matter. But the Pro Wike group continued that case against the intervention of Mr President and that’s the issue the A’Court affirmed. The case was filled before the decampment of the former lawmakers and any ruling from it does not confer any legitimacy on the former lawmakers.
“Still restless and delusional they are misinterpreting the recent Supreme Court ruling. the Supreme Court ruled on the Appeal over the 2024 budget voluntarily withdrawn by Gov. Fubara because 2024 budget cycle have ended and no need Wasting time discussing a budget that have been fully spent and implemented.
“The sacked, disgruntled Martin Amaewhule and the Pro-Wike group are jubiliating, out of ignorance of what informed the decision of the apex court. For their information and others who care, the Supreme Court judgement was sequel to the withdrawal of the appeal by Governor Fubara through his lead counsel, Yusuf Ali SAN. Governor Fubara in the notice for withdrawal of the case, informed a 3-man panel of Justices of the Court that events have overtaken his suit.
“For those who don’t know such events as mentioned by His Excellency, Governor Fubara include inter-alia that the 2024 budget for instance has been fully executed and exhausted with 2025 Appropriation in effect, hence the case is statute-barred. Also, Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Oko Jumbo is still in charge and control of the legislature in the South-south state as the pro-Wike sacked lawmakers and their gang leader, Amaewhule remained removed from office. The earlier these errand boys obey the rule the law the better for them. They should stop living in delusions and wake up and accept their fate.”