Lawyers have commented on the political crisis in Rivers State, stating that the appeal court’s judgment overturning the removal of lawmakers loyal to Nyesom Wike has complicated the situation. In response, 24 pro-Wike lawmakers, led by Rt Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule, initiated impeachment proceedings against Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara.
At the same time, the three lawmakers who support the governor, led by Rt. Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo, conducted their own meeting where they screened and approved Barrister Emmanuel Onengiye-Ofori Frank-Fubara as a commissioner.
Barrister Chukwudi Igwe expressed his concerns about the order from the appellate court, noting that it has caused confusion regarding the status of the 24 lawmakers who switched allegiance. He recommended that the lawmakers supporting Governor Fubara should either file a new application at the Federal High Court or proceed with their appeal at the Supreme Court to seek a stay of the Court of Appeal’s order.
According to Henry Ekine, under Section 90 of the Nigerian Constitution, Rivers State has only one House of Assembly led by Oko-Jumbo. He pointed out that the lawmakers led by Amaewhule, who switched from the PDP to the APC on December 11, 2023, should no longer be recognized as assembly members.
Frank Tietie, the Executive Director of CASER, disagreed with the notion that the 24 pro-Wike lawmakers lost their seats or authority in the assembly due to the Court of Appeal’s order. Rufus Godwins supported this view, asserting that Amaewhule remained the rightful speaker of the House of Assembly based on the Court of Appeal’s judgment.
He claimed that the high court’s order, which forbade the chief judge from accepting impeachment notices from the Amaewhule-led lawmakers, constituted contempt of court and carried legal penalties.
