Despite the Appeal court ruling nullifying the expulsion of Martin Amaewhule and 24 other lawmakers from the Rivers State House of Assembly, opposition lawmakers insisted that they remained sack.
Recall that Justice Charles Wali of the Rivers State High Court had on May 10, issued an interim injunction that restrained the sacked lawmakers loyal to the immediate past Governor of the state and the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, from parading themselves as members of the Assembly, having decamped from the political party that sponsored their elections.
The Spokesperson G60 lawmakers, Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere while addressing a press conference on Thursday in Abuja alongside three other members of the coalition said the appeal court did not void the declaration of the seat of 27 lawmakers.
He noted that the declaration of the seats of the 27 pro wike sacked lawmakers remained valid and have not been nullified by any court in Nigeria.
Ugochinyere pointed out that the Appeal Court focused on declaring that the Federal High Court was the only court with the jurisdiction to decide on the legality or illegality of decampment thereby ruling against Rivers High Court proceedings.
The lawmaker said the legal fireworks continues, as the declaration of the vacant seats wasstill valid and subject of pending litigation.
Ugochinyere stated: “The Court of Appeal ruling today shouldn’t be misconstrued in any way. The Pro-Wike sacked Rivers lawmakers seat remains vacant as Appeal court didn’t decide on the validity of their illegal decampment nor the declaration of their seats vacant.
“Appeal Court focused on declaring that the Federal High Court is the only court with the jurisdiction to decide on the legality or illegality of decampment thereby ruling against Rivers High Court proceedings.
“So, the actions of the House formerly led by Ehi in declaring the seat vacant have not been declared null and void by any court. Ok Jumbo remains the Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, the legal fire works continues, as the declaration of the vacant seats is still valid and subject of pending litigation.
“Also the local government Chairmen whose tenure have since expired remains expired and can’t be extended and was never extended. There’s nothing like tenure extension in a democratic setting, it’s like a coup taking over constitutional governance.”
