?Urges INEC to conduct bye-election to fill vacant seats

Rivers State House of Assembly has resolved to invoke the provision of the 1999 Constitution against the 25 former members of the River State House of Assembly.

The 10th Assembly also cautioned detractors from interfering with the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Presenting a Motion on a Matter of Urgent Public Importance Pursuant to Section 99 of the Constitution, on the floor of the House, Leader of the House and member representing Ahoada West Constituency, Hon. Sokari Goodboy Sokari, said that the Martin Amaewhule-led former lawmakers by their actions, have continued to undermine the integrity of the House and violate Section 99 of the Constitution.

Information from the Press Unit, Rivers State House of Assembly says he prayed the House to take necessary steps to halt the unlawful gathering of the former members, who by defecting to another political party, have lost their seats.

On his part, the member representing Opobo/Nkoro State Constituency and Deputy Speaker, Hon. Adolphus Orubienimigha, while adopting the motion, urged the House to, without delay, hold the former members accountable and ensure that they face the full consequences of the law, if they continue to parade themselves as lawmakers.

In his speech, Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo, berated the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for refusing to conduct bye-elections into the vacant seats since December 11, 2023.

He recalled that the House had on the 14th of December, 2023, and 8th of May, 2024, wrote to INEC to conduct bye-elections to fill the 25 vacant seats but regretted that the request is yet to be granted, adding that another member from Khana had died last year, and his seat has remained vacant.

He, thereafter, called on INEC to, as a matter of urgency, ensure the conduct of bye-elections so that other constituents can be represented.

Meanwhile, the Rivers State House of Assembly has approved the appointment of five special advisers by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Reading a letter from Governor Fubara during its 64th Legislative Sitting, Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo, explained that the appointment of the special advisers into key positions will help accelerate development in the State.

The House, after deliberating on the request by the Governor, approved the appointment of five special advisers, and directed the Clerk of the House to convey the approval to the Governor for further action.

The House subsequently adjourned sitting to Monday, 21st of October, 2024.

?PHOTO: Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo (2nd left) being led to the Floor of the House by the Sergeant-at-Arms, David Wariboko (left) before the sitting of the House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

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