Supreme Court CTC clarifies Rivers political crisis, rules 27 Lawmakers never defected

The Certified True Copy (CTC) of the Supreme Court ruling on the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State has revealed that the 27 lawmakers accused of defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) never actually switched parties.

This revelation challenges claims that the lawmakers had lost their seats due to defection, adding a new twist to the state’s political turmoil.

The ruling, delivered on Friday, also took a strong stance against the Rivers State government, ordering the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Accountant General of the Federation, and other relevant agencies to withhold funds from the state due to what it described as “flagrant disobedience” of judicial orders. The court insisted that the state government must comply with the law before funds could be released.

In a major political setback for Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the five-member panel of the court unanimously dismissed his cross-appeal challenging the legitimacy of the House of Assembly led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule. This effectively reaffirmed the authority of the 27 lawmakers, who are loyal to former governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Additionally, the Supreme Court nullified the recent local government elections conducted in Rivers State, citing gross violations of the Electoral Act.

The CTC of the judgment detailed why the 27 lawmakers remain valid members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, emphasizing that no legal process had been followed to declare their seats vacant. It stated:

“The 8th respondent had collapsed the Rivers State House of Assembly. Therefore, no question about any member losing his seat due to defection can validly arise. There must be a functioning House of Assembly for any constitutional processes, such as declaring a seat vacant, to take place. Only the House itself can declare a seat vacant due to defection—not the Governor, and not even the Courts.”

The ruling also criticized Governor Fubara’s attempts to exclude the 27 lawmakers from Assembly proceedings, calling it an act of “chicanery.”

The court further ruled that there was no proof the legislators had joined another political party, as there was no evidence of their names appearing in an APC membership register or possession of an APC membership card. It reaffirmed that only a party’s official register and membership card serve as legal proof of membership.