[BREAKING] Defection: APC Takes Strong Action On 27 Rivers Lawmakers

[BREAKING] Defection: APC Takes Strong Action On 27 Rivers Lawmakers

The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) officially welcomed 27 state lawmakers who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The reception ceremony was presided over by the Rivers APC Caretaker Chairman, Tony Okocha, at the Port Harcourt Polo Club.

During the event, Okocha accused the Rivers State Government of orchestrating the arson incident at the Rivers State Assembly.

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“I challenge the Governor (Sim Fubara and the PDP) to prove to Rivers people that they are not the ones responsible for the burning of the Rivers Assembly,” he told the gathering on Monday.

“How did the fire ‘catch’ the place?” the APC chieftain asked.

Following the defection, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare the seats of the lawmakers vacant. The Fubara government proceeded to demolish the assembly complex in the aftermath of the fire incident.

In response, Governor Fubara presented the 2024 budget to the remaining lawmakers at the Government House in Port Harcourt. Okocha countered, asserting that the defectors have the authority to convene and enact laws at any location, dismissing the PDP’s call.

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“How many days ago, we were told that they had pulled down the assembly – as early as 7:00 am – they pulled down the assembly. But let’s say this clearly: assembly does not infer a structure. Assembly is not a building. Assembly is the human beings who are members of the assembly,” Okocha said.

“So, our assembly members that have defected to us – 27 of them – are free to meet anywhere as far as the symbol of authority – the maze – is there.”

While speaking at the event attended by 26 of the lawmakers, Martin Amaewhule, who leads the group of lawmakers, maintained that they are still members of the assembly despite their seats being declared vacant by the Edison Ehie group.

“We made sure that we followed due process. We made sure we did not do anything outside the provisions of the 1999 Constitution. The Constitution has given room for people to defect,” he told the audience comprised mostly of APC chieftains.

“That is why Section 109 Subsection 1(G), allows serving legislators who want to do so with a proviso that there is a division in the party upon which they rode to the house of assembly. So, in line with that provision, we defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).”

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