- Adjourned Hearing: A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has adjourned until January 21, 2025, to rule on applications in a suit filed by the Labour Party.
- Suit Details: The Labour Party seeks to declare vacant the seats of 27 Rivers State House of Assembly members who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.
- Defection Controversy: The suit questions the legality of the defection of the 27 lawmakers, loyal to Minister Nyesom Wike.
- By-Election Request: The Labour Party also requests the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct a by-election to fill the vacant seats.
- Consolidation of Applications: The 29 defendants, including Speaker Martin Amaewhule and the PDP, plan to consolidate their applications.
A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has set January 21, 2025, as the date for ruling on applications related to the suit filed by the Labour Party seeking to declare vacant the seats of 27 Rivers State House of Assembly members who defected to the All Progressives Congress ¹. The Labour Party, in suit number FHC/PH/25/2024, also asks the court to determine if the defection of these lawmakers, loyal to Minister Nyesom Wike, was proper.
The court heard arguments from both sides, with Ferdinand Orbih, counsel for the defendants, requesting consolidation of applications, and Clifford Chukwu, counsel for the claimant, opposing the motion. Justice Emmanuel Obele adjourned the matter, setting the stage for a crucial ruling in January.
This development is the latest in the ongoing controversy surrounding the defection of the 27 lawmakers. The Rivers State House of Assembly has already threatened legal action against the embattled Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, and other lawmakers.
