A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has set January 21, 2025, as the date to deliver its ruling on a case brought by the Labour Party (LP) over the defection of 27 lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Labour Party’s Claims
The Labour Party argues that the lawmakers, aligned with former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, violated electoral laws by defecting and should lose their seats in the Rivers State Assembly. The party is seeking a court order to declare the seats vacant and direct the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct fresh elections.
Labour Party Gets Court Nod to Play Defection Clip of Amaewhule, 26 Others
The lawsuit, marked FHC/PH/25/2024, questions the legality of the defections and highlights the impact of political realignments on legislative processes in the state.
Related Case
In a separate but related case, the court will hear arguments on December 10, 2024, in a suit filed by Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo and three other lawmakers loyal to Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara. These pro-Fubara legislators are requesting the court to bar the 27 defecting lawmakers from continuing to act as members of the State Assembly.
Background
The defections, which occurred amid political tensions in Rivers State, have deepened divisions within the state’s political landscape. The Labour Party insists that such political moves undermine the integrity of the legislature and calls for accountability.
Ejes Gist News understands that the outcomes of these cases could significantly reshape the balance of power in the Rivers State Assembly.
