Fresh Crisis Rocks Rivers Assembly; Oko-Jumbo Speaker Elect by Pro-Fubara Lawmakers
Fresh Crisis Rocks Rivers Assembly; Pro-Fubara Lawmakers Elect Oko-Jumbo Speaker
A whole new twist has been added to the political situation in Rivers State as some of the governor Siminalayi Fubara-aligned members of the House of Assembly chose Victor Oko-Jumbo, a member of the Bonny constituency, to be their Speaker.
According to the Standing Order of the House, Oko-Jumbo was elected at 10 a.m. during plenary on Wednesday and is rumoured to be the new speaker for the whole 32-member Assembly.
During the political crisis in the state, Oko-Jumbo was one of four legislators that remained devoted to Fubara.
Edison Ehie was chosen speaker during the crisis, although he subsequently left the State Assembly and was named Governor’s Chief of Staff.
It was unknown how many legislators were in attendance at the plenary that elected Oko-Jumbo speaker.
Arms Sergeant Leading Oko-Jumbo into the plenary with the original Rivers State House of Assembly mace was David Wariboko, who presided over the last session of the Martin Amaewhule-led Assembly.
Following Edison Ehie’s departure as the previous Speaker, Oko-Jumbo thanked the members in his acceptance speech for electing him.
He urged the Executive, the Judiciary, and the people to ignore the alleged enactment of every law by the Amaewhule-led Assembly, describing it as an exercise in futility.
Since the House last met on December 13, 2023, and adjourned sine die, the 25 former members of the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly, led by the former Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule, have perpetrated an avalanche of legislative rascality.
“On December 11, 2023, these former members defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Party (APC) fully aware of the provisions of Section 109(1)(g) of the CFRN 1999.”
As such, on December 13, 2023, the Rt. Hon. Edison Ogerenye Ehie-led Assembly wrote to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announcing that the 25 legislators’ seats were empty in accordance with CFRN 1999 Sections 109(1)(g) and (2).
“My distinguished colleagues, the defection of the former legislators has left a multitude of cases pending in our courts,” he declared.
The decision of Lord Denning in the well-known case of MacFoy v. UAC (1961) 3 All ER 1169 renders all laws, plenary sessions, and acts done by the illegal House members worthless and a nullity in the eyes of the law. Oko-Jumbo reiterated.
“Furthermore, this House would want to most respectfully urge and call on His Excellency, the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, DSSRS, to desist forthwith from further dealings with the 25 former lawmakers, in whatever guise,” the speaker continued.
“Since their defect to the All Progressives Congress on December 11, 2023, those members are merely floating and do not have any landing ground or anywhere to berth their ship.”
“Due to the defection of the other members, this House is the legally and constitutionally recognised House of Assembly and is prepared to collaborate with and receive correspondence from His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, the Governor of Rivers State.” I want to thank you one more, distinguished colleagues.
“As we work with His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, to move our dear Rivers State forward in promoting state progress and welfare, I know I can count on your unalloyed and unwavering support.”