By Paul Effiong, Abuja
The Opposition Federal Lawmakers Coalition known as G60 have stated that the declaration of the seats of the 27 pro Wike sacked lawmakers remains valid and have not been nullified by any court of jurisdiction in Nigeria
The Spokesperson of the Coalition in the House Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere further explained that the Appeal Court didn’t void the declaration of the seat of 27 Pro-Wike sacked lawmakers in its sitting held yesterday in Abuja.
Hon Ugochinyere in company of three other lawmakers disclosed this while briefing journalists at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja yesterday.
Speaking further during the Press Confrence, Ugochinyere alleged that Justice Charles Wali of the Rivers State High Court had on May 10, issued an interim injunction that restrained the sacked lawmakers loyal to the immediate past Governor of the state and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, from parading themselves as members of the Assembly, having decamped from the political party that sponsored their elections.
According to the spokesman: “The court order followed a suit that was filed by Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo who subsequently emerged as the Speaker of the Assembly.
He informed that the litigants, in their suit, contended that Amaewhule and the other defected lawmakers ceased to be members of the Rivers State House of Assembly since December 13, 2023, when their seats were declared vacant.
“While upholding the case of the plaintiffs, Justice Wali barred the pro-Wike lawmakers from accessing the Assembly complex or carrying out any legislative assignment in the name of the Rivers State House of Assembly.”
He However, revealed that the appellate court, ruling on a suit lodged before it by the former lawmakers who was led by the former Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Martin Amaewhule yesterday, held that the Rivers State High Court, which issued the order, lacked the requisite jurisdiction to do so.
Conseqjently, the G60 group of lawmakers while reacting to the matter stressed that the Pro-Wike sacked Rivers lawmakers seat remains vacant as Appeal court didn’t decide on the validity of their illegal decampment nor the declaration of their seat vacant.
According to him, the Appeal Court focused on declaring that the Federal High Court is the only court with the jurisdiction to decide on the legality or otherwise illegality of decampment thereby ruling against Rivers High Court proceedings.
He further stressed that the legal fire works continues, as the declaration of the vacant seats is still valid and subject of pending litigation.
He said, “The Court of Appeal ruling today shouldn’t be misconstrued in any way. The Pro-Wike sacked Rivers lawmakers seat remains vacant as Appeal court didn’t decide on the validity of their illegal decampment nor the declaration of their seats vacant. A’Court focused on declaring that the Federal High Court is the only court with the jurisdiction to decide on the legality or illegality of decampment thereby ruling against Rivers High Court proceedings.
“So the actions of the House formerly led by Ehi in declaring the seat vacant have not been declared null and void by any court. Ok Jumbo remains the speaker of Rivers State house of assembly, the legal fire works continues, as the declaration of the vacant seats is still valid and subject of pending litigation.
“Also the local government Chairmen whose tenure have since expired remains expired and can’t be extended and was never extended. There’s nothing like tenure extension in a democratic setting, it’s like a coup taking over constitutional governance.”
He called on the Rivers people and indeed all Nigerians to stand on the parts of justice as this will help the country to moved from strength to strength.
The G60 used the opportunity to urge President Bola Tinubu to rise above board and ensure that those formenting trouble in Rivers State are call to order.
They consequently called on the Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun to investigate recent bomb explosion in Rivers state so as to bring perpetrators to book.
The lawmaker conclusively cited section 109(Ig) of the Federal Constitution of Nigeria as amended emphasising that the factors enumerated did not happened in the PDP leading to their encampment.
