In a significant development, the Court of Appeal in Abuja overturned a previous High Court ruling that had barred a group of pro-Nyesom Wike lawmakers from the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The three-judge panel led by Justice Jimi Olukayode-Bada ruled that the High Court lacked jurisdiction to issue the order restraining the 24 lawmakers loyal to the former governor from carrying out legislative duties.
The dispute dates back to a political rift between Wike and the current Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara. In December 2023, the pro-Wike faction of the assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). This prompted the rival faction, led by Speaker Victor Oko-Jumbo, to approach the state High Court, which then barred the pro-Wike lawmakers from the assembly complex.
However, the Court of Appeal has now overturned that High Court decision, effectively reinstating the Amaewhule-led faction as the legitimate representatives in the Rivers legislature. This has caused a division within the APC in the state, with allies of Wike welcoming the verdict, while supporters of former Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi disagreeing.
The APC Caretaker Committee Chairman, Tony Okocha, who is seen as close to Wike, hailed the court’s reasoning as “sound and unimpeachable,” stating that the “grey areas” leading to the litigation have been resolved. In contrast, the APC Publicity Secretary loyal to Amaechi, Darlington Nwauju, argued that the judgment does not change the fact that the 24 lawmakers had defected from the PDP to the APC.
The state government has remained silent on the court’s decision, while the main opposition PDP could not be reached for comment. However, the APC’s National Legal Adviser, Abdulkareem Kana, defended the appellate court’s verdict, stating that political defection does not automatically equate to a legal defection, which requires following proper party procedures.
The ongoing tussle in the Rivers State House of Assembly underscores the deep political divisions within the APC in the state, with the latest court ruling seemingly favoring the pro-Wike faction, despite their recent switch in party allegiance.
