The Rivers State Government has clarified that the state High Court did not validate the seats of the 27 pro-Wike lawmakers.
Through the Attorney-General, Dagogo Israel Iboroma, it was stated that contrary to circulating reports, the court did not declare that the 27 lawmakers, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, remain members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Addressing journalists on Monday, Iboroma clarified, “As the Hon. Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and the 3rd defendant in Suit No. DHC/20/CS/2024, I must state that this suit did not seek to declare the seats of Martins Amaewhule and 26 others in the Rivers State House of Assembly vacant. The claimants’ suit was dismissed due to a lack of locus standi and jurisdiction, and for being an abuse of court process, which prevented the trial court from adjudicating on the matter.
“There is misleading information circulating on social media, and in print and electronic media, suggesting that Martins Amaewhule and 26 others are still members of the PDP and the Rivers State House of Assembly. However, on December 11, 2023, Martins Amaewhule and the 26 others defected from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC). This was affirmed in affidavit evidence by Martins Amaewhule on behalf of himself and the others in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/1681/CS/2023 before Hon. Justice Donatus Okorowo of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division. This suit is still pending.
“According to Section 272(3) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, only the Federal High Court has the authority to determine whether Martins Amaewhule and the 26 others are still members of the PDP and the Rivers State House of Assembly. This position was upheld by the trial court.
“Furthermore, there is an existing order of interlocutory injunction in Suit No. PHC/512/CS/2024 restraining Martins Amaewhule and his associates from presenting themselves as lawmakers in Rivers State pending the resolution of the substantive suit. This order has not been appealed to date.
“We urge the public to disregard the false news circulating on social, print, and electronic media, claiming that Martins Amaewhule and the 26 others have been declared members of the PDP and the Rivers State House of Assembly.”
