Rivers Assembly: Ehie declares seats of 27 defected lawmakers vacant

The Rivers State House of Assembly has declared the seats of the 27 lawmakers who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Progressives Congress, APC, vacant.

The seats were declared vacant by the Speaker of the House, Edison Ehie.

The Speaker made the announcement on Wednesday during a sitting at the temporary hall provided by the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.

Ehie, in a firm and resolute tone, emphasized that there is no conflict within the PDP that warrants defection of any lawmaker in the House.

He said the decision to declare the seats vacant was in line with section 109 (1) (g) and 2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended.

He called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to conduct fresh elections to fill the vacant seats, asserting the need for the rightful representation of the people.

He said, “Distinguished colleagues, the House will duly inform the Independent National Electoral Commission of the vacancies in the Rivers State House of Assembly and indeed, to conduct a fresh election to fill the above vacancies.”

The 27 lawmakers loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, were absent at Wednesday’s sitting.