In a recent televised statement on Symfoni TV from 7:08, the spokesperson for Rivers Elders Forum, Prof Atuboyedia Obianime, shed light on the complex political saga involving 27 state lawmakers who recently switched political parties from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The ongoing legal dispute has been characterized by a series of intricate court cases that have remained unresolved for over a year. Multiple legal challenges have emerged, questioning the lawmakers’ political status, their defection process, and potential by-election replacements.
Recent judicial developments have added further complexity to the situation. A Federal High Court dismissed a suit seeking to replace the lawmakers, while another court simultaneously issued a restraining order preventing them from functioning as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Speaking candidly about the situation, Prof Obianime highlighted the seemingly contradictory actions of the lawmakers: “In other words, these 27 lawmakers did not only decamp in the assembly, they were received by the APC, they swore to an affidavit in a high court, and they were received by the president. Meaning that they have done all the three arms of government and democracy. But we are surprised now, these same people have gone back to the courts to say they didn’t decamp.”
The elder statesman further emphasized the prolonged legal uncertainty, stating, “We are surprised they said, even if, and in another vein, in another case, they were telling a high court that even if they decamped, their seats should be left for them. Well, as Elders, we have seen the drama, and we are asking questions. It is in this same state that we found out that people went to court for the court to declare the statuses of the 27 lawmakers—cases that had been on for the past one year and one month. No court has given a ruling.”
The ongoing political drama continues to generate significant interest and speculation about the future of these lawmakers and the broader political landscape in Rivers State.