APP to appeal court ruling on Rivers State lawmakers’ ‘defection’

The Action People’s Party (APP) has vowed to challenge the judgement of the Federal High Court, which dismissed the defection suit against 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

These lawmakers, loyal to Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), were declared as having defected in a pre-election matter by the court.

In a statement by its National Chairman, Uche Nnadi, the APP rejected the court’s ruling and insisted that the lawmakers remain sacked until a higher court rules otherwise. Nnadi questioned how individuals who had not yet won an election could be considered lawmakers and defect.

Nnadi confirmed that the APP is already filing an appeal, asserting that Oko Jumbo remains the legitimate Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly. He criticised the ruling, stating that “decampment is not a pre-election issue” as per the constitution.

He also pointed out that pending cases before the Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Omotosho, were focused on preventing the National Assembly from taking over the functions of the Rivers State House of Assembly. Nnadi further stressed that no court has validated the defection of the lawmakers, adding that their case will be appealed.