The Rivers State Government has accused a group of lawmakers and former legislators of attempting to mislead the public about the political situation in the state. This follows an announcement of a planned press conference in Abuja by supporters of former Speaker Martin Amaewhule.
The government claims the press conference is intended to distort facts related to a court ruling concerning the status of 27 lawmakers who lost their seats following their defection from their original political party in December 2023. According to the government, the lawmakers automatically forfeited their positions due to constitutional provisions against political cross-carpeting.
Citing Supreme Court precedents, the government insists the defected lawmakers are no longer members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. It also contends that the court judgment being referenced by the lawmakers did not address the legal consequences of their defection.
Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara reaffirmed his commitment to the rule of law and urged the public to disregard what he called “misleading narratives” from the ex-lawmakers.
