The Court of Appeal in Abuja has nullified a previous ex parte order from the Rivers State High Court that had barred Martin Amaewhule from functioning as the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly. This decision also overturned the order that prevented 24 legislators loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike from accessing the Assembly or performing any legislative duties.
The three-judge panel, led by Justice Jimi Olukayode-Bada, supported the appeal by factional Speaker Amaewhule and his 24 allies against current Speaker Victor Oko-Jumbo and two others. The initial order from the state high court was based on allegations that the lawmakers had defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In December 2023, amid a political clash between Wike and current Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Amaewhule and his followers shifted their allegiance to the APC. The conflict has since deeply divided the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The pro-Fubara camp, led by Edison Ehie until his resignation to become Fubara’s Chief of Staff, had obtained a court order in May 2024 barring the pro-Wike lawmakers from conducting legislative sessions and restraining Governor Fubara from engaging with them. Dissatisfied, the pro-Wike faction appealed, leading to the recent appellate court ruling that dismissed the trial court's jurisdiction in the matter.
**Rivers APC Split on Verdict**
The appellate court's decision has sparked controversy within the Rivers State APC. Caretaker Committee Chairman Tony Okocha, an ally of Wike, praised the judgment as a victory for justice. However, the faction loyal to former Minister of Transport Rotimi Amaechi disagreed, emphasizing that the defectors had indeed switched parties and urging respect for the rule of law.
The state government and key political figures, including the Commissioner for Information and Communications Joseph Johnson and PDP State Chairman Aaron Chukwuemeka, have remained silent on the ruling. Meanwhile, APC National Legal Adviser Prof Abdulkareem Kana welcomed the verdict, clarifying distinctions between political and legal defections and questioning procedural compliance by the defectors.
As tensions persist, the Rivers APC remains deeply divided, with calls for the matter to potentially reach the Supreme Court for final resolution.
