The Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, has taken a significant step by declaring the seats of Edison Ehie, the Chief of Staff to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and three other lawmakers vacant. This move comes after these lawmakers were absent from Assembly sittings for a continuous period of 152 days without notifying the House or seeking permission.
During the Assembly’s plenary session on Tuesday, Amaewhule explained that Edison Ehie, a key ally of Governor Fubara, failed to officially inform the House of his new position as Chief of Staff. As a result, his seat was declared vacant. The decision is part of the House’s effort to maintain order and discipline, ensuring that lawmakers who do not fulfill their duties are held accountable.
The other three lawmakers, including Victor Oko-Jumbo, were also found guilty of absenteeism. The Assembly held three separate votes to declare their seats vacant, citing their failure to attend sittings for 152 consecutive days, which is a violation of the 1999 Constitution. According to the law, any lawmaker who misses Assembly sessions for an extended period without proper notification or permission risks losing their seat.
Following the decision to declare these seats vacant, the House agreed to send a formal request to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to organize elections to fill the newly vacant positions. These elections must be conducted within 90 days to ensure that the constituencies affected by the absence of their representatives have their voices heard in the Assembly.
In addition to the issue of absenteeism, the Assembly addressed another significant matter involving Governor Fubara’s 2024 Appropriations Bill. Earlier, the governor had presented an N800 billion budget to a parallel House led by Edison Ehie. However, this budget was nullified by the Appeal Court. As a result, the Assembly has agreed to allow Governor Fubara another opportunity to present the 2024 budget to the proper legislative body.
This decision is seen as a step towards resolving the conflict between Governor Fubara and the Assembly, which has been at the center of recent political tension in Rivers State. By providing the governor with a chance to resubmit the budget, the House aims to ensure that the financial needs of the state are addressed in a transparent and legal manner.
The move to declare these seats vacant sends a strong message about the importance of lawmakers fulfilling their responsibilities and maintaining communication with the Assembly. For Governor Fubara, the loss of four of his allies in the Assembly could create challenges in pushing through his agenda. It remains to be seen how this decision will affect the governor’s standing and the political dynamics within the state.
The upcoming elections to replace the lawmakers will likely attract significant attention, as the outcome could shape the balance of power in the Rivers State House of Assembly.
