By Milcah Tanimu
A group comprising 60 federal lawmakers challenged the authority of the 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly whose seats were declared vacant in December 2023 after their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress. These 27 lawmakers had attempted to serve Governor Siminalayi Fubara with an impeachment notice, a move vehemently opposed by the federal legislators.
Ikenga Ugochinyere, spokesperson for the group and representative of Ideato South/North Federal Constituency, criticized the actions of the state lawmakers, labeling their impeachment call as a threat to democracy and anarchy in the making. Ugochinyere emphasized that unless a court issues a supreme order, the 27 lawmakers have forfeited their seats and their attempt to impeach Governor Fubara is illegitimate.
The federal lawmakers argued that the purported assertion of power by the group of 27, who they described as impostors, amounted to legislative misconduct. They specifically addressed the recent override of Governor Fubara’s veto on the Rivers State Public Procurement (Amendment) Bill 2024, labeling it null and void.
The political rift between Governor Fubara and the lawmakers stems from his fallout with his political mentor, Mr. Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. The federal lawmakers accused Wike’s loyalists of orchestrating the legislative maneuvers against Fubara.
Ugochinyere further criticized the actions of the 27 lawmakers, asserting that they had violated constitutional provisions by defecting from the party that sponsored their election. He called upon the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct elections to fill the vacant seats and put an end to the legislative chaos in Rivers State.
In conclusion, the federal lawmakers reiterated their stance that the attempted veto by the 27 lawmakers would not be recognized, emphasizing Governor Fubara’s commitment to peace and development in Rivers State.
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