In a recent interview with Arise News from from 11:55, lawyer and human rights activist, Liborous Oshoma, strongly criticized the actions of Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, who declared non-recognition of the Amaewhule Led Assembly members of the State House of Assembly. Oshoma contended that a governor does not have the authority to unilaterally reject or dismiss duly elected members of the assembly, calling it “wrong” and a breach of democratic principles.
His remarks were in reference to a controversial move by Fubara who declared the 27 lawmakers as unrecognized members of the assembly. Oshoma pointed out that the Court of Appeal had earlier ruled that a state high court does not have the jurisdiction to declare the seat of a member vacant. He drew a parallel with a previous ruling, where the court had similarly concluded that the Federal High Court lacked the jurisdiction to rule on local government elections.
Oshoma further emphasized the gravity of the issue by describing the presentation of the state budget to only four members of the State House of Assembly, rather than the full house, as an “aberration.” He argued that such actions undermine the democratic process and are a clear deviation from established legal and constitutional norms.
In his words;
“A Governor cannot say I no longer recognize you as members, that’s wrong and also the Court of Appeal said the State High Court lacks jurisdiction to declare the seat of a member vacant, just the same way Court of Appeal had said the Federal High Court lacks jurisdiction to determine election to Local Government. That said, presentation of budget to a four members of the State House of Assembly, for me, it’s an Aberration”