ADC asks Rivers Assembly to explain reversal of three lawmakers' vacant seats
- The Rivers State House of Assembly has reversed its declaration that three lawmakers' seats were vacant.
- The ADC wants Speaker Martin Amaewhule to explain the legal basis for the U-turn.
- The party also wants INEC to clarify the status of the by-election notice it received.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Rivers State has asked the state House of Assembly to spell out the legal basis for taking back its earlier decision to declare three lawmakers' seats vacant.
The three are Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo, Hon. Sokari Goodboy Sokari and Hon. Timothy Oruibienimigha. The Assembly had earlier declared their seats empty and reportedly told the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to organise by-elections. It has now reversed that decision after the lawmakers wrote letters of apology and explanation.
In a statement dated October 20 and signed by its state publicity secretary, Chizy Enyi, the ADC said the about-turn raises questions about how firmly the House follows the constitution. It wants Speaker Martin Chike Amaewhule to explain publicly how both decisions were reached.
What the party is asking
The ADC pointed to Section 109(1)(f) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended. That section says a state lawmaker loses the seat if, without good reason, they miss more than one-third of the days the House sits in a year. The party said Sections 109(2) and 109(3) set out how absences can be excused.
The party asked whether the original declaration met those rules, and whether the House can simply undo it if it did. Enyi's statement put the question this way: “Was the original declaration of vacancy constitutionally valid, or was it an unlawful exercise of legislative authority?”
The ADC also wants to know whether INEC has been told the decision has been reversed, and what that means for any by-election preparations already set in motion. It asked the commission to state clearly where the earlier notice now stands.
The party said it accepts that a legislature can revisit its own resolutions when there are genuine reasons, but argued that this power must stay inside the constitution. It also asked the House to release its attendance records, notices and any certifications that guided the decision, so the public can check them.
The statement comes as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and Governor Siminalayi Fubara pursue reconciliation. The ADC said it has no problem with peace-making, but warned that political deals should not be used to override the law or weaken independent institutions.
The party said the constitution must stay supreme and that peace-making should not come before the rule of law. It said any question the House cannot settle should go to the courts.
What happens next
Eyes now turn to the Speaker for an explanation and to INEC for word on whether the by-election process is still alive. The lawmakers keep their seats for now.
