Rivers State House of Assembly Speaker Writes to INEC, Calls for Fresh Elections in 25 Constituencies

Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, has formally approached the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), urging the electoral body to organize new elections in 25 state constituencies.

This move comes after the lawmakers led by Speaker Ehie, who align themselves with Governor Siminalayi Fubara, passed a resolution last Wednesday, declaring the seats of the 25 House members vacant. The affected legislators had defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a letter dated December 15, 2023, addressed to the national chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Speaker Ehie cited Section 109(1)(g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) as the basis for the declaration of the vacant seats.

The letter stated, “I write to formally bring to your notice vacancies in the seat of the under-listed constituencies and membership pursuant to Section 109(1)(g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).”

It further explained that the listed members, representing their respective constituencies, collectively defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on December 11, 2023. The vacancies were declared in line with Section 109(2) of the Constitution and by a resolution passed during the 90th Legislative Sitting of the Rivers State House of Assembly on December 13, 2023.

Consequently, Speaker Ehie, on behalf of the Rivers State House of Assembly, formally requested INEC to conduct by-elections to fill the now vacant seats in the state legislature.

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