The Rivers State House of Assembly has seen a significant turn of events with the election of Hon. Victor Oko Jumbo as the new Speaker.
Oko Jumbo, representing Bonny Constituency, was officially sworn in during a plenary session at 10 am on Wednesday, a move that has since stirred conversations around its legality and constitutional compliance.
The election followed the resignation of former Speaker Edison Ehie, with Oko Jumbo being elected by a faction of the assembly closely aligned with Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Only two lawmakers participated in this vote, raising questions about the broader acceptance of Oko Jumbo’s leadership.
During his acceptance speech, Oko Jumbo urged the Executive and Judiciary branches of government, as well as the public, to recognize the legitimacy of his election.
He strongly dismissed any legislative activities carried out under the former speaker Amaewhule’s tenure, describing them as futile.
The ceremony, attended by the minimal number of lawmakers, saw Oko Jumbo led into the chamber with the original mace by Sergeant-at-Arms David Wariboko, signaling a continuation of formal legislative procedures despite the contentious backdrop.
He said, “You will agree with me that after the House last sat on the 13th of December, 2023, and adjourned sine dine, there has been an avalanche of legislative rascality perpetrated by the 25 former members of the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly, led by the former Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule.
“These former members, being fully aware of the provisions of Section 109(1)(g) of the CFRN 1999, defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Party (APC) on the 11th of December, 2023.
“Consequently, the Rt. Hon. Edison Ogerenye Ehie-led Assembly, on the 13th of December, 2023, wrote to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), declaring the seats of the 25 lawmakers vacant in line with Section 109(1)(g) and (2) of the CFRN 1999.
“My distinguished colleagues, there are a plethora of cases pending in our courts further to the defection of the former lawmakers.
“All laws, plenary sessions and actions taken by the illegal House members are hereby declared void and a nullity in the eyes of the law by virtue of the judgment of Lord Denning in the celebrated case of MacFoy v UAC (1961) 3 All ER 1169.”
Oke-jumbo said the sitting presided by him is the legally and constitutionally recognised House of Assembly by virtue of the defection of the other members.
He, therefore, called on the governor to desist forthwith from further dealings with the 25 former lawmakers loyal to Wike.
He added, “Furthermore, this House would want to most respectfully urge and call on His Excellency, the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, DSSRS, to desist forthwith from further dealings with the 25 former lawmakers, in whatever guise.
“Those members are merely floating and do not have any landing ground or anywhere to berth their ship since their defection to the All Progressives Congress on the 11th of December, 2023.
“This House is the legally and constitutionally recognised House of Assembly by virtue of the defection of the other members and is ready to receive correspondences from and work with His Excellency, the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara. Distinguished colleagues, let me thank you once again.
“I know I can count on your unalloyed and unwavering support as we work with His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara in moving our dear Rivers State forward in promoting the progress and welfare of the State.”
