PORTHARCOURT: The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has asked the Rivers State House of Assembly to explain the constitutional and legal grounds for reversing its earlier decision declaring the seats of three lawmakers vacant after reportedly notifying the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct by-elections.
The affected lawmakers are Victor Oko-Jumbo, representing Bonny State Constituency; Sokari Goodboy Sokari, representing Ahoada West; and Timothy Oruibienimigha, representing Opobo/Nkoro. The three legislators are known allies of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The controversy followed the Assembly’s decision on Monday to rescind its earlier declaration of the lawmakers’ seats as vacant, a development linked to the political crisis that has divided the state’s political leadership.
In a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, the ADC State Publicity Secretary, Chizy Enyi, questioned the consistency of the Assembly’s decisions and called for clarification on their compliance with constitutional provisions.
Enyi said the Assembly had initially relied on constitutional provisions to declare the three seats vacant but subsequently reversed the decision following letters of apology and explanations from the affected lawmakers.
He questioned whether the initial declaration was constitutionally justified and, if it was, what legal authority empowered the legislature to reverse it.
The ADC spokesman urged the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, and other lawmakers to clarify the legal grounds for both decisions and explain whether the constitutional requirements governing absence from legislative sittings had been properly observed.
Citing Section 109 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, Enyi maintained that decisions concerning vacant legislative seats must comply with the applicable constitutional provisions.
He argued that the Assembly should explain why it initially declared the seats vacant if the action was subsequently considered reversible following the lawmakers’ explanations and apologies.
The ADC also asked the Assembly to disclose whether INEC had been formally notified of the decision to reverse the vacancy declaration.
According to Enyi, clarification is necessary to establish the status of any electoral arrangements initiated after the earlier declaration and determine the implications of the Assembly’s latest resolution.
He further questioned whether the reversal resulted from an independent legislative decision or was influenced by recent political reconciliation efforts involving FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and Governor Fubara.
The party did not rule out the Assembly’s authority to reconsider previous resolutions, acknowledging that legislative bodies may revisit earlier decisions on legitimate grounds. However, it insisted that such powers must be exercised within constitutional limits.
Enyi urged the Rivers State House of Assembly to make relevant legislative proceedings, attendance records and supporting documents available for public scrutiny.
He also suggested that unresolved constitutional questions should be referred to the appropriate judicial authorities for interpretation.
The ADC spokesman stressed that political reconciliation should not take precedence over constitutional compliance, adding that residents of Rivers State deserved a legislature guided by due process, transparency and the public interest.
The dispute over the three lawmakers’ seats comes against the backdrop of prolonged political tensions in Rivers State involving the governor, the state legislature and rival political interests.
The Assembly’s explanation, particularly regarding the legal basis for both the initial declaration and its subsequent reversal, is likely to be central to resolving the questions raised by the ADC
