A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has dismissed a suit filed by three lawmakers loyal to Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, which sought to declare vacant the seats of 27 House of Assembly members who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The ruling, delivered by Justice Emmanuel Obile, upheld the legitimacy of the defected lawmakers, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, affirming their continued membership in the Assembly. The judge cited a binding Supreme Court decision from February 2025, which had earlier recognized Amaewhule's leadership and rejected Governor Fubara’s attempts to oust the lawmakers.
The case was initiated by pro-Fubara legislators Victor Oko-Jumbo, Adolphus Orubienimigha, and Sokari Goodboy Sokari. They argued that the lawmakers forfeited their seats by switching parties, but the court ruled that no constitutional violation occurred that justified their removal.
Justice Obile emphasized that the Supreme Court’s decision was final and must be respected. Speaker Amaewhule welcomed the judgment, stating it reaffirms their legal standing, while the ruling dealt a blow to Governor Fubara’s faction in the ongoing political rift.
The Rivers political crisis dates back to December 2023 when the lawmakers defected, deepening divisions between Governor Fubara and allies of former Governor Nyesom Wike.
