A High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital has ruled that Rivers State House of Assembly Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, and the 26 other members of the house who recently announced their defection to All Progressives Congress (APC) are still members of the People's Democratic Party (PDP).
Justice Okogbule Gbasam of the Rivers State High Court, while delivering his judgment in the Rivers State capital, ruled that the defection announced by Martin Amaewhule and the other 26 house members was just ceremonial and has no position in the court of law.
Justice Gbasam further held that membership of a party is only proven by being listed on the party's register, or by membership card, adding that television ceremonies and or verbal statements, were not enough to show the same.
Justice Gbasam therefore compelled the state Governor Siminalayi Fubara to abide by every law passed by the House as the Amaewhule-led House of Assembly remains valid and recognized by the law of the land.
Recall that Governor Fubara recently disregarded the 27-member House of Assembly, recognizing a 3-member factional House of Assembly in the State. Governor Fubara had argued that the 27-member House of Assembly had ceased to exist since they defected from PDP to APC.
Category: World-News
Tag: Court Rules Defected Rivers Lawmakers Remain PDP Members
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Published 6/10/2024 4:16:50 PM