On April 16, 2025, the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt will rule on a request to dismiss a defection action brought by the Labour Party against 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. The MPs in question are accused of defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The Labour Party is requesting that their seats be declared vacant, according to Vanguard.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
During the hearing, counsel representing the lawmakers, including Speaker Martins Amaewhule, urged the court to strike out the case, citing a recent Supreme Court judgment.
He presented a Certified True Copy of the ruling, noting that the Supreme Court had reinstated the Amaewhule-led Assembly leadership.
He further argued that Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who initially made the defection allegations, had already withdrawn them at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
However, counsel for the Labour Party, Clifford Chukwu, countered that the issue of defection was a “collateral matter” before the Supreme Court.
He urged the court to consider the existing evidence rather than dismissing the case based on the Supreme Court’s ruling.
It is worth recalling that on February 29, 2025, the Supreme Court held that, in the absence of concrete evidence, no legal defection had taken place, thereby maintaining the existing structure of the Assembly.
Speaking after the court proceedings, Chukwu expressed confidence in his arguments, stating that the final decision on April 16 would determine the court’s stance on the matter.
The case remains significant in the ongoing political tensions in Rivers State, as it could impact the Assembly’s composition and legislative authority.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
