By Comfort Olayinka
The opposition federal lawmakers, known as G60, have clarified that the 27 sacked Rivers state lawmakers loyal to Nyesom Wike remain sacked and their seats remain vacant.
According to the lawmakers, the Appeal Court did not decide on the legality of the lawmakers’ decampment, and therefore, the declaration of their seats as vacant remains valid.
The Federal Lawmakers while briefing the press on Thursday at the National Assembly stated that no court in Nigeria has nullified the declaration of the seats of the 27 pro-Wike sacked lawmakers as vacant.
Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, the Spokesperson of the G60 lawmakers, emphasized that the Appeal Court did not void the declaration of the seats of the 27 pro-Wike sacked lawmakers as vacant.
Recall that Justice Charles Wali of the Rivers State High Court had issued an interim injunction on May 10, restraining the sacked lawmakers from parading themselves as members of the Assembly.
The court order followed a suit filed by Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo, who later became the Speaker of the Assembly.
The litigants contended that the lawmakers’ seats were declared vacant on December 13, 2023, after they decamped from the political party that sponsored their elections.
The Appeal Court ruled that the Rivers State High Court lacked the jurisdiction to issue the order, but did not decide on the validity of the lawmakers’ decampment.
Ugochinyere stressed that the legal battle continues, and the declaration of the vacant seats remains valid and subject to pending litigation.
The G60 lawmakers maintained that the seats of the 27 pro-Wike sacked lawmakers remain vacant, and the Appeal Court’s ruling did not change this fact.
Rivers Lawmakers’ Sack: G60 Maintains Stance Despite Appeal Court’s Decision
By Comfort Olayinka
The opposition federal lawmakers, known as G60, have clarified that the 27 sacked Rivers state lawmakers loyal to Nyesom Wike remain sacked and their seats remain vacant.
According to the lawmakers, the Appeal Court did not decide on the legality of the lawmakers’ decampment, and therefore, the declaration of their seats as vacant remains valid.
The Federal Lawmakers while briefing the press on Thursday at the National Assembly stated that no court in Nigeria has nullified the declaration of the seats of the 27 pro-Wike sacked lawmakers as vacant.
Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, the Spokesperson of the G60 lawmakers, emphasized that the Appeal Court did not void the declaration of the seats of the 27 pro-Wike sacked lawmakers as vacant.
Recall that Justice Charles Wali of the Rivers State High Court had issued an interim injunction on May 10, restraining the sacked lawmakers from parading themselves as members of the Assembly.
The court order followed a suit filed by Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo, who later became the Speaker of the Assembly.
The litigants contended that the lawmakers’ seats were declared vacant on December 13, 2023, after they decamped from the political party that sponsored their elections.
The Appeal Court ruled that the Rivers State High Court lacked the jurisdiction to issue the order, but did not decide on the validity of the lawmakers’ decampment.
Ugochinyere stressed that the legal battle continues, and the declaration of the vacant seats remains valid and subject to pending litigation.
The G60 lawmakers maintained that the seats of the 27 pro-Wike sacked lawmakers remain vacant, and the Appeal Court’s ruling did not change this fact.
