Rivers State House of Assembly don declare seats of four members vacant, oh!

Rivers State House of Assembly don declare seats of four members vacant, on October 15, 2024.

According to Punch News on October 15, dey say Hon. Mr. Edison Ogerenye Ehie, Hon. Mr. Victor Oko Jombo, Hon. Mr. Adolphus Timothy Oruibienimigha and Hon. Mr. Sokari Goodboy Sokari no go show up for legislative meetings for too long, and dem no get good reason for dat.

Dem declare dem vacant based on Section 109 (1)(e),(f) and Section 109 (2) of 1999 Constitution, wey say if member no attend meeting for up to one-third of total number of days House meet, dem fit lose dem seat.

House Leader, Hon. Mr. Major Jack, move motion say make dem declare dem vacant, and 25 other members support am.

Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mr. Martin Chike Amaewhule, com talk say dem don withdraw impeachment notice on Governor Fubara, but dem four members no show up still.

Now, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) go conduct election to fill dem vacancies.

And Governor Fubara don get anoda chance to present him 2024 Appropriation Bill to House, since Court of Appeal uphold Federal High Court judgement.

Wetin happen:

• Four members no attend legislative meetings for too long
• House declare dem vacant
• INEC go conduct election to fill dem vacancies
• Governor Fubara get anoda chance to present 2024 Appropriation Bill

Background:

• Four members, Hon. Mr. Edison Ogerenye Ehie, Hon. Mr. Victor Oko Jombo, Hon. Mr.Adolphus Timothy Oruibienimigha, and Hon. Mr. Sokari Goodboy Sokari, failed to attend legislative meetings for an extended period.
• Despite repeated invitations and warnings, they refused to participate in House activities.

Constitutional Provisions:

• Section 109 (1)(e) and (f) of the 1999 Constitution empower di House to declare seats vacant if members fail to attend meetings without just cause.
• Section 109 (2) states dat a member’s seat can bi declared vacant if dem dey absent for more dan one-third of di total number of days di House meets.

Motion and Debate:

• House Leader, Hon. Mr. Major Jack, moved the motion to declare di seats vacant.
• 25 other members co-sponsored the motion.
• Members debated and unanimously supported di motion, citing di constituents’ lack of representation.

Speaker’s Ruling:

• Speaker Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule recalled di peace parley and withdrawal of impeachment notice against Governor Fubara.
• Him note di four members’ refusal to attend sittings.
• Di Speaker put di question to a vote, and di House don vote in favor of declaring di seats vacant.

Next Steps:

• Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) go conduct elections to fill di vacant seats.
• Governor Siminialayi Fubara don get anoda opportunity to present di 2024 Appropriation Bill to di House.

Additional Context:

• Di Rivers State House of Assembly bin don embroiled in controversy and power struggles.
• Di Court of Appeal’s judgment upholding di Federal High Court’s ruling recognized di authenticity of di Rivers State House of Assembly unda di Speaker Mr. Amaewhule’s leadership.

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