Rivers Crisis: Wike loyalists declare pro-Fubara lawmakers’ seats vacant

The Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly has declared the seats of Edison Ehie, the Chief of Staff to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and three other pro-Fubara lawmakers vacant in the wake of their absence from sittings for 152 days.

While making the declaration on Tuesday during plenary, Amaewhule explained that Ehie did not properly write to inform the House of his new office, and as such his seat has been declared vacant.

Regarding Victor Oko-Jumbo and the two others, the House held three separate votes to declare their seats vacant for absenteeism from sitting for 152 days consecutively without notification or permission, in violation of the 1999 Constitution.

The House further agreed to write to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to conduct elections to replace the now vacant seats within 90 days to provide representation for their people.

Also, the Assembly agreed to give Fubara another opportunity to present the 2024 Appropriations Bill following the Appeal Court’s nullification of the N800 billion budget which he had presented to a parallel House led by Edison Ehie.