The Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Martin Amaewhule, has officially declared the seats of Edison Ehie, the Chief of Staff to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and three other pro-Fubara lawmakers vacant due to their absence from legislative sittings for 152 consecutive days.
During a plenary session on Tuesday, Amaewhule explained that Ehie failed to properly notify the House of his new office, which resulted in the declaration of his seat as vacant.
In separate votes for Victor Oko-Jumbo and two other lawmakers, the Assembly confirmed that their prolonged absenteeism, without notification or permission, constituted a violation of the 1999 Constitution.
In light of these developments, the House resolved to notify the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct elections within 90 days to fill the now vacant seats, ensuring proper representation for the affected constituencies.
Additionally, the Assembly granted Governor Fubara another opportunity to present the 2024 Appropriations Bill following the Appeal Court’s nullification of the ₦800 billion budget that he had previously submitted to a parallel House led by Edison Ehie.
As the situation unfolds, the decision to declare the seats vacant underscores the ongoing political tensions within the Rivers State Assembly and raises questions about the future of governance and representation in the region.