The Supreme Court has reserved judgment in the high-stakes legal battle over the defection of 27 Rivers State lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
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What’s at Stake?
- Governor Siminalayi Fubara is challenging the legitimacy of Martin Amaewhule as Speaker, arguing that he and the 26 other defected lawmakers automatically lost their seats under constitutional provisions.
- The Nigerian Constitution states that lawmakers must vacate their seats upon defection, unless their original party is experiencing a division—which Fubara’s legal team insists is not the case.
Supreme Court Hearing & Rulings
- The case, presided over by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji, involves five appeals tied to the political turmoil in Rivers State.
- While the court has yet to announce a judgment date, its decision is expected to have major political consequences.
- In an earlier ruling, the Supreme Court dismissed Fubara’s appeal challenging the re-presentation of the 2024 state budget before the Amaewhule-led Assembly. Fubara’s lawyer, Yusuf Ali, withdrew the case, citing recent political developments.
Power Struggle in Rivers State
Rivers has been at the center of a heated political battle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who now serves as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
With the Supreme Court’s ruling expected to reshape the state’s political landscape, all eyes remain on the judiciary as the battle for control of the Rivers Assembly continues.
