Rivers Assembly Speaker and 26 Lawmakers Remain PDP Members, Court Rules

The Rivers State High Court in Port-Harcourt ruled yesterday that Speaker Martins Amaewhule and 26 other lawmakers remain members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Justice Okogbule Gbasam dismissed the case seeking to declare their seats vacant, stating the plaintiffs failed to prove the lawmakers had defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The case, initiated by Hyacinth Amadi, Godspower Obuah, and Tonye Darius, saw the Rivers State PDP chapter joining as the fourth defendant. The court held that membership in a party is proven by being listed in the party’s register and having a membership card, not by televised declarations or verbal statements. Consequently, the court ruled the state government must abide by the laws passed by the House of Assembly as the lawmakers are still PDP members.

However, the Rivers State government criticized the judgment, describing it as misleading. Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Dagogo Israel Iboroma (SAN) argued that the suit did not seek to declare the seats vacant and was struck out due to lack of jurisdiction and abuse of court process. He insisted that only the Federal High Court can determine the membership status of Amaewhule and the 26 other lawmakers, referencing an ongoing case in the Federal High Court, Abuja.

Despite this, Emohua Local Government Area Chairman Dr. Chidi Lloyd praised the judgment, emphasizing that press briefings cannot substitute for an appeal. He noted that the ruling supports the extension of local council chairmen's tenure as passed by the Amaewhule-led Assembly. Lloyd pointed out that the court's decision was based on the lack of tangible evidence proving the lawmakers' defection to the APC.

Lloyd further explained that raising a party's flag does not equate to membership, stressing the importance of being inscribed in the party register and possessing a membership card. The judgment ensures the local government amendment law, passed by the Assembly, must be obeyed, allowing local government chairmen to remain in office beyond June 17.