Rivers State House of Assembly Speaker, Victor Oko-Jumbo, accuses the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of delaying by-elections for 25 allegedly vacant seats. Oko-Jumbo claims these seats were vacated by lawmakers who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.
“The defection of Martin Chike Amaewhule and 24 others was headline news and widely reported,” Oko-Jumbo stated. “Their seats were declared vacant on December 13, 2023, and INEC must conduct bye-elections to fill them.”
Amaewhule’s group, loyal to Minister Nyesom Wike, declared four pro-Fubara lawmakers’ seats vacant, seeking by-elections. Oko-Jumbo insists Amaewhule’s seat and 24 others must be filled first.
“Truth and facts are constant… The fact of their defection cannot be erased,” Oko-Jumbo emphasized. “I call on INEC to immediately conduct bye-elections to fill the legislative seats declared vacant on December 13, 2023.”
