RismadarVoice Reporters
October 20, 2026
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has demanded a constitutional explanation from the Rivers State House of Assembly over its decision to reverse the declaration of three legislative seats as vacant.
The party questioned the legal basis for the reversal, insisting that the Assembly must clarify whether its earlier decision complied with the Constitution and what circumstances justified its subsequent withdrawal.
The controversy involves Victor Oko-Jumbo, representing Bonny State Constituency; Sokari Goodboy Sokari, representing Ahoada West; and Timothy Oruibienimigha, representing Opobo/Nkoro.
The three lawmakers are political allies of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The Assembly, presided over by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, reversed its earlier declaration during plenary on Monday, October 19, following separate letters of appeal submitted by the affected legislators.
In their letters, the lawmakers reportedly apologised for their prolonged absence from legislative proceedings, explaining that they had not received official communication informing them that their suspension had been lifted.
However, the Rivers State chapter of the ADC, in a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by its Publicity Secretary, Chizy Enyi, questioned the constitutional implications of the Assembly’s decision.
Enyi argued that the legislature owed Rivers residents an explanation of how seats previously declared vacant under constitutional provisions could subsequently be restored following letters of apology.
Citing Section 109 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, the party asked whether the original declaration was legally justified and, if so, what constitutional grounds permitted its reversal.
The ADC further questioned whether the lawmakers’ absence from legislative sittings had been properly assessed before the initial decision was reached.
It also demanded clarification on whether the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which was reportedly notified to conduct by-elections, had received formal communication reversing the vacancy declaration.
The party raised concerns about the timing of the development, which followed renewed reconciliation efforts involving Governor Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
It questioned whether the Assembly independently reached its decision or whether political considerations influenced the reversal.
Although acknowledging that a legislature could reconsider previous resolutions, the ADC maintained that such decisions must remain consistent with constitutional requirements.
The party urged the Assembly to make relevant legislative records, attendance registers and supporting documents available for public examination.
It also called for unresolved legal questions to be referred to the appropriate courts for interpretation.
The ADC maintained that political reconciliation should not override constitutional compliance, stressing that legislative decisions must reflect transparency, due process and the public interest.
The Assembly has explained that its reversal followed consideration of the lawmakers’ appeals and indications that they might not have received notice of the lifting of their suspension.
The constitutional questions raised by the ADC remain matters for legal interpretation, and the party’s objections do not, by themselves, invalidate the Assembly’s decision.
