June 11, (THEWILL)- A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has affirmed Martin Amaewhule and 24 other members of the State House of Assembly loyal to former governor Nyesom Wike as members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The 25 lawmakers announced their defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on December 11, 2023.
Subsequently, the Rivers Assembly, led by former Speaker Edison Ehie, on December 13, declared their seats vacant following their defection.
A Rivers State High Court presided over by Justice Charles N. Wali, had in a ruling delivered on May 10th and 30th, granted an order restraining Amaewhule and the 24 other pro-Wike lawmakers from sitting and parading themselves as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
However, in a ruling on Monday, Justice Okogbule Gbasam held that the claimants had failed to provide evidence that Amaewhule and 24 other pro-Wike lawmakers defected to the APC.
Insisting that party membership can only be established by being on the party’s register or possessing a membership card, Justice Gbasam held that televised events or verbal declarations were insufficient proof of membership of a political party.
The 25 lawmakers are still members of the PDP since their names are still in the PDP’s membership register as provided by the party, the court ruled.
Furthermore, Justice Gbasam held that the Rivers State Government must obey all laws enacted by the Amaewhule-led Assembly since they are members of the PDP.
The Court struck out a suit filed by Wosa Amadi and three others seeking to declare the seats of the lawmakers vacant following their defection to the APC.
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