Victor Oko-Jumbo, the Speaker of the pro-Fubara lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to promptly organize bye-elections for the 27 seats vacated by pro-Wike lawmakers, led by Martin Amaewhule. During a press conference on Friday, Oko-Jumbo emphasized that the seats became vacant after Amaewhule and 26 others announced their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in December 2023.

Oko-Jumbo’s renewed plea comes after the legal barriers preventing INEC from conducting these elections have been lifted. He noted that the lawmakers’ decision to switch parties was made voluntarily and lacked a justifiable cause.

Highlighting the previous legal challenges, Oko-Jumbo explained that Amaewhule and his group had filed a lawsuit on December 13, 2023, to obstruct INEC’s ability to hold the bye-elections. They secured an order of interlocutory injunction that prevented the commission from acting on the vacant seats.

However, he criticized the lawmakers for failing to actively pursue their case in court. He pointed out that on October 30, 2024, the suit was discontinued without explanation and subsequently struck out, clearing the way for INEC.

“The only impediment to INEC conducting a bye-election to fill the 27 vacant seats in the Rivers State House of Assembly was the order of interlocutory injunction restraining INEC from conducting a bye-election,” Oko-Jumbo stated. With the legal barrier removed, he urged INEC to act swiftly and conduct the necessary bye-elections.

Oko-Jumbo’s comments underline the urgency for electoral representation in the state legislature, as he called for immediate action from the electoral body to fill the vacant positions.