“Amaewhule, 26 Others Are No Longer Lawmakers, Fubara Won’t Represent Budget to Them” – APC Chieftain Declares Amid Rivers Crisis

In view of the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New People’s Democratic Party (nPDP), has declared that the 27 lawmakers loyal to the APC, led by Martin Amaewhule, have ceased to be members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. Eze’s statement follows a recent Court of Appeal decision, further intensifying the crisis over the leadership of the House.

In a press release issued on Friday, Eze attributed the persistent turmoil in the state’s political landscape to certain politicians who are allegedly exploiting the judiciary to assert control. His comments come after the Court of Appeal in Abuja dismissed an appeal filed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, challenging a January 2024 ruling by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, which nullified the Rivers State budget passed by pro-Fubara lawmakers.

The crux of the legal battle stems from the December 2023 defection of Amaewhule and 26 other lawmakers from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC. Justice Omotosho’s ruling voided the budget they had passed and ordered Governor Fubara to re-present it before the House, now under the control of the defected lawmakers. The court also instructed the governor to release funds to the Assembly and prohibited any interference with its activities.

However, Eze, reacting to the judgment, emphasized that the defection automatically disqualifies Amaewhule and his colleagues from holding their seats, citing Section 109(1)(g) of Nigeria’s Constitution, which states that lawmakers who defect from the party that sponsored their election lose their positions.

According to Eze, the Court of Appeal ruling on October 10, 2024, did not address the legality of the lawmakers’ defection, and thus they are no longer legitimate members of the Assembly. He criticized any celebration of the ruling, arguing that it does not alter the fact that the defected lawmakers have lost their seats. “Governor Fubara will not present any budget to them as they no longer represent the people of Rivers State,” Eze affirmed.

Eze urged the Rivers State Government to appeal the appellate court’s decision and called on the judiciary to remain impartial in the face of political maneuvering. He warned that Rivers State’s stability is at risk due to the ongoing crisis and highlighted the need for President Bola Tinubu to intervene to prevent further destabilization.

The APC chieftain also defended Governor Fubara’s decision to withdraw his counter-affidavits and legal filings in the case, in line with President Tinubu’s directive to pursue peace. He expressed concern over the potential for political chaos if the situation escalates and called on Fubara’s supporters to remain calm.