Rivers Crisis: LP Gets Court Backing to Play Defection Clip of Pro-Wike Lawmakers

Rivers Crisis: LP Gets Court Backing to Play Defection Clip of Pro-Wike Lawmakers

  • Labour Party headed to the court to challenge the legality of the 27 Rivers lawmakers' defections to the APC
  • The lawmakers, key allies of FCT minister Nyesom Wike, reportedly announced their defection in December 2023 and their seats have been declared vacant amid battle with Governor Fubara
  • But on Wednesday, November 20, the court granted the Labour Party the approval to present video evidence showing the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly members confirmed their defection from the PDP to the APC

Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.

The Labour Party (LP) has reaffirmed its commitment to proving that the 27 lawmakers in Rivers state, who dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in December 2023, effectively vacated their legislative seats as a result.

Rivers crisis: Fubara wins as LP gets approval to play defection clip of pro-Wike lawmakers
Labour Party gets approval to play a defection clip of pro-Wike lawmakers against Fubara's govt, who defected to APC. Photo credit: Sir Sim Fubara, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike - CON, GSSRS
Source: Facebook

Video evidence showing defection of pro-Wike lawmakers emerges

Read also

Rivers LG election: Appeal court overturns Federal High Court's judgement, details emerge

The lawmakers, led by Martin Amaewhule, who are close allies of Nyesom Wike, the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) announced their defection to the APC on December 11, 2023, reportedly without any internal crisis within the PDP, a condition often required to justify such moves.

As reported by Channels TV, the LP is among the parties seeking a judicial declaration on the validity of the lawmakers’ seats.

Speaking after a hearing before Justice Emmanuel Obele of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, the Labour Party’s counsel, Clifford Chukwu, stated that the party has compelling evidence to substantiate its case.

Among the evidence is a video clip showing Amaewhule announcing the defections on behalf of himself and the other 26 lawmakers.

Chukwu explained that the court had granted leave to present the video as evidence, but at the resumed hearing on Wednesday, Justice Obele opted to address preliminary applications before proceeding to the substantive matter.

Read also

2027: “How PDP leaders are secretly supporting APC,” Bode George spills

The case has been adjourned to January 21, 2025, when the video evidence is expected to be presented in court.

The Labour Party case was one of the two matters that were considered by the Judge, Justice Emmanuel Obele on the same subject matter.

The second case was by the Speaker of the Pro-Fubara Lawmakers, Victor Oko-Jumbo and his two colleagues, Sokari Goodboy and Adolphus Timothy.

Legit.ng understands that Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Wike, are at loggerheads over the control of Rivers state. This has led to the political crisis rocking the oil rich state.

Read more about Rivers crisis here:

APC warns Fubara against blackmailing Tinubu, Wike

In another development, Legit.ng reported that the APC reacted to the recent judgment stopping allocation to Rivers state.

Read also

2027 presidency: Kwankwaso reacts as ACF dumps Tinubu, declares support for northern politicians

APC said it would stand by the court's judgment according to “Sections 120, 121, and 122" of the constitution.

The APC chairman in Rivers state, Sir Tony Okocha, said the political crisis rocking the state was between Governor Sim Fubara and Nyesom Wike.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Esther Odili avatar

Esther Odili (Politics and Current Affairs Editor) Esther Odili is a journalist and a Politics/Current Affairs Editor at Legit.ng with 6+ years of experience. She Holds OND and HND in Mass Communication from the Nigerian Institue of Journalism (NIJ), where she was recognized as the best student in print journalism in 2018. Before joining Legit.ng, Esther has worked with other reputable media houses, such as the New Telegraph newspaper and Galaxy Television. In 2024, Esther obtained a certificate in advanced digital reporting from the Google News Initiative. Email: esther.odili@corp.legit.ng.