Briga News Nigeria
The Rivers State House of Assembly has rescinded its resolution declaring vacant the seats of three Members representing Opobo/Nkoro, Bonny and Ahoada West Constituencies.
The beneficiaries are Hon. Timothy Oruibienimigha, Hon. Victor Oko Jumbo and Hon. Sokari Goodboy Sokari.
The resolution was vacated on Monday at the 68th Legislative Sitting of the Fourth Session of the Tenth Assembly, presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule.
At plenary, the Speaker read separate letters of apology from the affected lawmakers. In their letters, they attributed their prolonged absence to non-receipt of formal notification that their suspension, imposed on 30th October, 2023, had been lifted on 20th December, 2023 following the presidential intervention.
The letters were debated and Members unanimously supported the appeal for clemency in the interest of constituency representation and legislative harmony.
In his ruling, Rt. Hon. Amaewhule observed that beyond the emotive tone of the appeals, preliminary findings indicated that the Members may not have been duly notified. He reiterated that the House remains guided by justice and fairness, not sentiment.
The motion for rescission was subsequently put to vote and was unanimously adopted.
It would be recalled that four Members were suspended on 30th October, 2023 at the 84th Legislative Sitting of the First Session during the political crisis in the State. The suspension was lifted on 20th December, 2023 at the 89th Sitting, pursuant to the presidential peace parley of 18th December, 2023.
Following their continued absence without just cause, the House on 15th October, 2024, at its 56th Sitting of the Second Session, invoking Section 109(1)(e)(f) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, declared their seats vacant and notified INEC to conduct by-elections.
