PORT HARCOURT — The Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, has declared the seats of Edison Ehie, Chief of Staff to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and three other pro-Fubara lawmakers vacant due to their absence from legislative sessions for 152 consecutive days.
During Tuesday’s plenary session, Amaewhule explained that Ehie failed to formally notify the Assembly of his appointment as Chief of Staff, prompting the decision to declare his seat vacant.
“The House was not properly informed about his new office. As such, his seat is now declared vacant,” Amaewhule said.
In addition to Ehie, the Assembly held three separate votes to vacate the seats of Victor Oko-Jumbo and two other lawmakers, citing absenteeism from 152 consecutive sittings without formal permission or notification. The action was taken in accordance with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution.
Following the decision, the Assembly agreed to write to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct elections within 90 days to fill the vacant seats, ensuring continued representation for the affected constituencies.
In another development, the House resolved to give Governor Fubara a fresh opportunity to present the 2024 Appropriations Bill after the Court of Appeal nullified the N800 billion budget he had previously submitted to a parallel Assembly faction led by Ehie.
