Vacant Seats Controversy Escalates: Discord Among RVSG, PDP, G27 Lawmakers in Rivers Crisis

The G27 faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Mr. Martins Amaewhule, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the state government clashed yesterday over the contested vacancy of seats in the House.

Amaewhule argued that their defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) was constitutional, citing the crisis within the PDP. However, both the Rivers State government and the PDP strongly disagreed, deepening the political divide.

During a dedication service in Port Harcourt, Amaewhule asserted, “We defected in line with the provision of the 1999 constitution, section 109.” He emphasized that the 4-man faction led by Edison Ehie lacked the quorum required for official assembly proceedings.

Apart from the PDP crisis, Amaewhule highlighted infrastructure developments as reasons for their defection, praising President Buhari’s commitment to projects in Rivers State.

Meanwhile, an alleged draft of an Abuja court order supporting the G-27’s impeachment process against Governor Siminalayi Fubara surfaced, intensifying the power struggle.

In response, the PDP insisted that the seats of the 27 lawmakers remained vacant, as declared by the new speaker, Edison Ehie. The party’s stance was supported by the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Joseph Johnson.

The national leadership of the PDP dismissed claims of factionalization by the G-27 lawmakers, attributing their actions to the influence of a former governor. Deputy National Public Secretary Ibrahim Abdullahi affirmed the unity of the PDP under Acting National Chairman Ambassador Umar Damagum.

However, the crisis prompted the immediate-past National Vice Chairman, Northwest, of the APC, Salihu Moh. Lukman, to acknowledge the party’s role in the political turmoil. Lukman urged leaders to prioritize governance over personal disputes.

Amidst the chaos, the Centre for Africa Liberation and Socioeconomic Rights accused the defected lawmakers of plotting to sabotage byelections, emphasizing the Supreme Court’s stance on defection.

As Rivers State grapples with this political upheaval, the stability of the region remains uncertain, with legal battles and power struggles at the forefront of the unfolding drama.