A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Monday, declared the 27 members of Rivers State House of Assembly led by Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule as members of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
The Court in its decision, struck out a suit filed by Wosa Amadi and three others. They had sought the court to declare the seats of the 27 lawmakers vacant. This is following the alleged defection of the members to the All Progressives Congress, APC, in December 2023.
However, Justice Okogbule Gbasam in the judgement held that Martin Amaewhule and the 26 other lawmakers are still members of the PDP.
In delivering his judgment, Gbasam stated that the claimants failed to prove to the court that the 27 lawmakers truly defected to the APC. He noted that the said defection cannot be established through Newspaper publications, Radio announcements or online publications.
Gbasam stated that defection can only be established through the party membership register and a membership card. And such members fulfilling all requirements of their membership in the party.
The judgement has generated mixed reactions from politicians in the State.
The Rivers State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Iboromo has insisted that the 27 lawmakers are no longer members of the State House of Assembly.
