Reps opposition coalition reject court decision on 27 Rivers lawmakers

House of Representatives opposition lawmakers coalition has rejected the federal high court judgement declaring the decampment of 27 sacked Rivers State lawmakers as a Pre-election issue.

Speaking at the world press conference, its spokesperson, Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, insisted that the judgement is an assault on constitutional democracy.

The lawmakers maintained that Rt.Hon.Oko Jumbo remains the valid Speaker Of Rivers State House of Assembly based on existing High Court Judgements and rulings.

Recall the Federal High Court in Abuja, Friday dismissed a defection suit instituted against the 27 former members of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Ezenwo Wike by APP Action People’s Party.

The suit seeking to replace the 27 lawmakers on account of their defection from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) was also dismissed.

Justice Peter Lifu who delivered the judgment held that the suit instituted by the Action People’s Party APP was statute barred having not been filed within 14 days allowed by law thereby describing the decampment of lawmakers as a pre-election issue.

However, the coalition contended that the judgement would alter the interpretation of what constitutes pre-election since decampment is not among the issues that constitute pre-election.

The pro-Wike lawmakers noted that the seats remain vacant because they defected to APC and are no longer members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The lawmakers added that many valid rulings of High Court have restrained them from illegally parading as lawmakers and declaring Oko Jumbo as the Valid Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

The coalition stressed that Oko Jumbo remains the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly and that they are going to appeal the ruling.

They noted: “The Opposition coalition considered it very strange and unknown to the law that issues of decampment which can happen any time within the four years mandate of a lawmaker is now been declared a pre-election issue that must come within 14 days like primary election.

“The constitution recognises issues of pre-election around primary election and not decampment which can only be established once the court first rules on it before the by-election can be conducted and hence can’t be termed pre-election.”

Expressing optimism that the judgement won’t survive in Appeal Court, the Lawmakers referred the High Court Judgement months ago barring the 27 sacked lawmakers from parading, adding that it remains valid and has not been voided by any higher court.

They added that the Local Government election in the state will go on the 5th of October as scheduled and nothing can stop it as the constitution and electoral act have said no court can stop the conduct of elections.

They said, “We reject the federal high court judgement today September 20, declaring the decampment of 27 sacked Rivers State lawmakers as a pre-election issue. The pro-Wike lawmakers’ seats remain vacant because in line with the law they defected to APC and are no longer members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“It’s widely known that these 27 lawmakers publicly decamped to APC and have at various times deposed to Affidavits even in a suit at the Federal High Court in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/1681/CS/2023 that they’re now members of the APC owing to the alleged crisis in PDP.

“Oko Jumbo is still Rivers Assembly Speaker and this ruling will be appealed. We are optimistic and nothing will stop the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara from completing his tenure and even winning a second term if he so pleases.