The Rivers State House of Assembly, under the leadership of Martin Amaewhule, has officially declared the seats of Edison Ehie, the Chief of Staff to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, along with three other pro-Fubara legislators, as vacant. This decision comes after their prolonged absence from assembly sessions spanning 152 days, as reported by News360 Nigeria.
During today’s plenary session, Speaker Martin Amaewhule emphasized that Ehie failed to formally notify the assembly about his new position, leading to the declaration of his seat as vacant.
In a separate matter concerning Victor Oko-Jumbo and two other lawmakers, the Assembly conducted three distinct votes to vacate their seats due to their continuous absence from sessions for 152 days without any communication or approval, which contravenes the stipulations of the 1999 constitution.
Furthermore, the Assembly resolved to notify the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to arrange elections to fill the vacant seats within 90 days, ensuring adequate representation for the constituents.
Additionally, the House has agreed to afford Governor Fubara another chance to present the 2024 Appropriations Bill, following the Appeal Court’s nullification of the previous N800 billion bill submitted to a rival assembly led by Edison Ehie.
