Ifeanyi Ibeh
In a dramatic turn of events, opposition lawmakers in the House of Representatives, known as the G60, have uncovered what they describe as a plot by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to reinstate sacked lawmakers from the Rivers State House of Assembly. The allegations surfaced during a world press conference held in Abuja, where the lawmakers displayed court documents allegedly filed by the PDP.
Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, the spokesperson for the G60 lawmakers, presented evidence of a court affidavit filed by the PDP, using the legal services of Joshua Musa, SAN, a known associate of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike. The lawmakers claim this move is part of a broader plan to destabilize the current administration in Rivers State and potentially remove Governor Similayi Fubara.
In suit no: FHC/PH/CS/90/2024, dated 14th May 2024, between remaining state assembly members and the sacked lawmakers, the applicants are seeking several reliefs, including:
– An order joining the PDP as the 30th defendant in the suit.
– An order to amend all processes to reflect the PDP as a defendant.
– Any other orders deemed fit by the honorable court.
The affidavit supporting the motion for joinder indicates that the PDP has not received any formal notices of resignation from the wards of the sacked lawmakers and, therefore, cannot confirm their defection to the APC. This contradicts widespread reports and social media rumors about their departure from the PDP.
Expressing shock, Ugochinyere stated, “Wike, through Damagun, is set to destroy the party and allow the sacked APC lawmakers to come back.” He described the court documents as a “shameful act of betrayal” and called for the dissolution of the current National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP, which he accuses of being compromised.
Ugochinyere further detailed the findings: “The PDP headquarters misled the public by denying the existence of such a legal process. Here today, we have hard evidence showing what those at Wadata House are capable of doing to their own party. We can confirm that the PDP has filed a motion for joinder in the suit seeking to declare the seats of the 27 defected members vacant. Additionally, the PDP has filed a counter affidavit and written address opposing the prayers to declare the seats vacant, insisting that the sacked lawmakers are still PDP members.”
He continued, “The legal processes were filed by Dr. Joshua Musa, SAN, a known lawyer of Minister Wike. This deliberate assignment by the PDP Chairman, with authorization from the legal adviser, clearly serves Wike’s interests, which are against the PDP’s.”
The G60 lawmakers expressed concern over the potential consequences of these actions, suggesting that financial inducements might be involved, although these allegations remain unconfirmed. They warned that the reinstatement of the defected lawmakers could lead to an unconstitutional impeachment attempt against Governor Fubara, further destabilizing the political landscape in Rivers State.
