Oko-Jumbo-Led Rivers Assembly Holds Session, Vows to Challenge Appeal Court Decision

The Victor Oko-Jumbo-led faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly has declared its intention to challenge the recent decision of the Court of Appeal, Abuja, which nullified the expulsion of Martin Amaewhule and 24 others from the Assembly.

During a plenary session on Friday, Speaker Victor Oko-Jumbo criticized the Appeal Court’s ruling, asserting that it erred in determining that the Rivers State High Court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case against Amaewhule and his colleagues.

“We strongly believe that the Court of Appeal was in error when it held that the Rivers State High Court lacked the jurisdiction to hear and determine SUIT NO PHC/1512/CS/2024,” Oko-Jumbo stated. He confirmed that the Assembly has already instructed its legal team to file an appeal to the Supreme Court of Nigeria to overturn the judgment delivered on July 4, 2024.

The assembly session, held at the temporary chambers in the Government House, Port Harcourt—established by an executive order from Governor Sim Fubara last December—also saw the consideration of two bills. The “Rivers State Emergency Management Agency Bill, 2024,” sponsored by pro-Fubara lawmakers’ leader Sokari Goodboy, and the “Rivers State Transport Reform Bill, 2024,” sponsored by Deputy Speaker Adolpus Timothy, both passed their first readings.

In his address, Oko-Jumbo reiterated that the expulsion of Amaewhule and the 24 others was due to their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in December 2023. He emphasized that the declaration of their seats as vacant by the former Speaker, Rt. Hon Edison Ehie, has not been overturned by any court.

The Appeal Court’s judgment, which struck out the suit against Amaewhule and his colleagues on jurisdictional grounds, did not address the validity of their defection or their membership status in the Assembly, Oko-Jumbo pointed out. He insisted that his faction remains the legitimate legislative body in Rivers State until a higher court rules otherwise.

The Assembly has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct by-elections to fill the vacant seats, urging the public to disregard the claims of Amaewhule and his group.