Rivers Assembly reverses its decision to declare three pro-Fubara lawmakers’ seats vacant and directs them to resume legislative duties
The Rivers State House of Assembly has reversed its earlier decision to declare the seats of three lawmakers loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara vacant.
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The decision was taken during plenary on Monday, October 19, amid renewed efforts to resolve the political crisis that has divided the state’s political leadership.
The affected lawmakers are Victor Oko-Jumbo, representing Bonny State Constituency; Adolphus Timothy Oruibienimigha, representing Opobo/Nkoro; and Sokari Goodboy Sokari, representing Ahoada West.
During plenary, the House considered a letter from the three lawmakers explaining their prolonged absence from legislative sittings.
The lawmakers told the Assembly that they did not receive correspondence directing them to resume sittings following the intervention of President Bola Tinubu in the political crisis.
They subsequently tendered an apology to the House, which was accepted by the lawmakers.
Following the development, the Assembly directed the three legislators to resume their legislative duties.
The reversal comes against the backdrop of renewed reconciliation efforts involving Governor Fubara and political stakeholders associated with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
Wike on Sunday led members of the Rainbow Coalition to Fubara’s private residence in Port Harcourt for another meeting as efforts to resolve the prolonged political disagreement continue.
The political crisis in Rivers State has lasted for several years and has involved disagreements between Fubara and lawmakers loyal to Wike, who was governor of the state from 2015 to 2023.
The three lawmakers were suspended on October 30, 2023, the same day the Assembly made its first attempt to impeach Fubara.
They have consequently been absent from legislative sittings for almost three years.
Their reinstatement comes amid renewed questions about the scope and outcome of the reconciliation process involving the governor and Wike’s political camp.
While the recent engagements have been presented as efforts towards peace, some observers have questioned whether the process adequately addressed the status of the lawmakers and other outstanding issues.
Despite the decision to restore the lawmakers to the Assembly, their return is expected to be short-lived.
The three legislators were screened out of the All Progressives Congress, APC, primary election process and will therefore not return to the House after the current legislative tenure.
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Their reinstatement nonetheless marks another significant development in the unfolding reconciliation efforts in Rivers State.
