Why We Have Been Silent on Rivers Assembly Crisis- INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has clarified its position regarding its silence on the ongoing crisis within the Rivers State House of Assembly, citing multiple conflicting court rulings as the reason for its restrained approach.

The Rivers Assembly has been embroiled in controversy, with factions aligned with Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike clashing over control. The faction loyal to Governor Fubara previously requested INEC to conduct a by-election to fill 25 Assembly seats occupied by lawmakers allied with Minister Wike. The commission’s lack of response to the request has drawn criticism from some Nigerians, who accuse INEC of inaction amid the political turmoil.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting with media executives in Abuja, INEC Chairman Professor Mahmoud Yakubu provided clarity on the commission’s stance, emphasizing the complex legal landscape that has paralyzed decision-making. He highlighted that recent judgments from both the Rivers State High Court and the Federal High Court have issued conflicting rulings on the legitimacy of both factions, leading INEC to tread cautiously.

“The seats of 25 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly were declared vacant by three other members, who also had their seats declared vacant in return. Following this, we received separate judgments from the Rivers High Court and the Federal High Court on the matter, creating uncertainty over the legitimate representation in the Assembly,” Professor Yakubu explained.

In addition to the Rivers Assembly matter, Yakubu revealed that INEC is preparing to hold by-elections for vacant seats in the House of Representatives by mid-December, due to recent deaths and vacancies in other legislative positions. The commission is currently finalizing logistics for these elections and intends to announce the exact date soon.

Yakubu further noted that INEC continues to monitor the Rivers Assembly developments closely and welcomes insights from legal experts to help navigate the judicial complexities surrounding the issue.