The Action Peoples Party (APP) has thrown its full support behind Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo as the legitimate speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The opposition party declared that the Oko-Jumbo-led assembly is the only constitutionally recognised law making body for the oil-rich state.
Following last week’s court judgement, the parallel assemblies held plenary yesterday in the state.
The Martin Amaewhule-led House loyal to the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, held plenary at the State Assembly official quarters along Aba Road, in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
The pro- Governor Siminalyi Fubara lawmakers, led by Oko-Jumbo, sat in an improvised Hallowed Chamber in the Government House, also in Port Harcourt.
While the Amaewhule-assembly gave the Fubara a 7-day deadline to resubmit the 2024 budget, the Oko-Jumbo lawmakers screened a commissioner nominee.
However, APP, in a statement signed by its deputy national publicity secretary, Emeka Uwazurike, said the recent Appeal Court judgment did not reinstate the 27 pro-Wike lawmakers whose seats were previously declared vacant.
The party insisted that these former legislators are no longer members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
“APP as a frontline opposition party in Nigeria recognises only the Victor Oko-Jumbo led state Assembly,” Uwazurike stated.
The party also endorsed the assembly’s decision to screen a commissioner nominee, Barrister Emmanuel Frank-Fubara, urging the Oko-Jumbo-led House to continue its legislative duties unhindered.
In a direct challenge to the rival faction, APP advised the 27 ex-lawmakers to cease presenting themselves as state legislators.
“As a promoter of constitutional democracy and rule of law, there can only be one legislative body for Rivers State,” the statement read.
This development comes as the Fubara-loyal assembly prepares to screen the commissioner nominee.
The assembly clerk, Dr. G. M. Gillis-West, has invited the nominee to appear before the alternative assembly auditorium at the Rivers State Government House on Monday.
