By Precious Amadi
The Rivers State House of Assembly has rescinded its earlier decision declaring the seats of three lawmakers vacant, following the acceptance of their letters of appeal by members of the House.
The affected lawmakers are Hon. Timothy Oruibienimigha of Opobo/Nkoro Constituency, Hon. Victor Oko Jumbo of Bonny Constituency, and Hon. Sokari Goodboy Sokari of Ahoada West Constituency.
The decision was taken on Monday during the House’s 68th Legislative Sitting of the Fourth Session of the Tenth Assembly, after the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule, read their separate letters of appeal at plenary.
In the letters, the lawmakers apologised to the House for their failure to resume legislative duties, explaining that they did not receive correspondence informing them that their suspension, lifted on December 20, 2023, had been vacated following presidential intervention.
Debating the appeals, members of the Assembly supported the lawmakers’ plea and urged the House to reconsider its earlier decision.
The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, said investigations indicated that the lawmakers might not have received the correspondence as claimed, stressing that the decision should be guided by justice rather than emotions.
Following a question put to the House, members voted in favour of rescinding the earlier resolution, expressing their willingness to have their colleagues return to legislative duties and represent their constituencies.
Recall that four lawmakers were suspended on October 30, 2023, amid the political crisis in Rivers State. Their suspension was subsequently lifted on December 20, 2023, following a presidential intervention.
However, the Assembly, at its sitting on October 15, 2024, declared the seats of the three lawmakers vacant over their continued failure to attend plenary and participate in legislative business.
The decision was taken in accordance with Section 109, subsections one, paragraphs E and F, and subsection two of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, with the House notifying the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct elections to fill the seats.
The latest resolution reverses that earlier decision, paving the way for the three lawmakers to resume their legislative responsibilities.
