Rivers Court Rules Fubara Can Work with Three Remaining Lawmakers

The political drama in Rivers State is unending. On Monday, a Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt ruled that Governor Siminialayi Fubara is legally entitled to conduct business with the three remaining lawmakers in the State House of Assembly who have not vacated their seats.

This sharply contradicts other rulings, especially from the Court of Appeal, which had earlier ruled that such an act was an aberration and against the spirit and letters of the law.

The Rivers State judgment says “The governor cannot do business with those who defected and lost their seats by that act of defection.

“Therefore, the same way His Excellency Ezenwo Nyesom Wike presented budgets and financial bills with only six members when the numbers were less than two third 2/3 of the 32 members, so shall His Excellency Siminalayi Fubara, the Governor of Rivers State, be constitutionally guided to interface, and approach the properly constituted House of Assembly led by Oko-Jumbo, to carry on business of the state and until the 27 lawmakers who defected and lost their seats, approaches the court, for a redemption or INEC conducts another election to the seats vacated by the 27 lawmakers upon their defection.

“In sum, until the Supreme Court gives its verdict on the issue of jurisdiction which affects the status of the 27 lawmakers, it is only those who did not vacate their seats, the governor can constitutionally approach the present budget, appoint Chief Judges and President Customary Court. Also, screen commissioners, including the Attorney General, and make board appointments.

“That the claimant’s claim seeking declaratory and injunctive reliefs for the representation of the 2024 budget to the former 27 lawmakers, who defected and automatically vacated their seats, lacks merit and is accordingly dismissed.

“That this suit be and is hereby dismissed, with cost in the sum of N500,000.00, awarded in favour of the defendants and against the claimant.”