Governor Siminalayi Fubara is now legally able to conduct business with the three lawmakers who haven’t vacated their seats in the state assembly, according to the Rivers State High Court.
This was stated in a December 20th court decision, in which presiding judge Sika Aprioku rejected a lawsuit requesting that the governor be required to give the assembly the 2024 budget.
The Governor of Rivers State, the governor of Rivers State, and the state’s attorney general were defendants in the lawsuit marked PHC/3552/CS/2024 by the Registered Trustees of the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners. In order for the 2024 budget to be passed, it requested that the governor represent it to the 27 lawmakers led by Amaewhule.
Aprioku approved the governor’s decision after considering the arguments from the various counsels. They could engage in business with members who continued to hold their seats.
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The governor of Rivers State shall be constitutionally guided to interface with the properly constituted House of Assembly led by Oko-Jumbo until the 27 lawmakers who defected and lost their seats approach the court for a redemption or INEC conducts another election to the seats vacated by the 27 lawmakers upon their defection, according to the court.
“In sum, until the Supreme Court gives its verdict on the issue of jurisdiction which affects the status of the 27 lawmakers, it is only those who did not vacate their seats, the Governor can constitutionally approach to the present budget, appoint chief judges and president, customary court, also screen commissioners, including the attorney general and make board appointments.
” That the claimant’s claim seeking declaratory and injunctive reliefs for the Representation of the 2024 Budget to the former 27 lawmakers, who defected and automatically vacated their seats, lacks merit and is accordingly dismissed.
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