The opposition Action Peoples Party (APP) has thrown its weight behind Hon. Victor Oko-Jombo-led Rivers State House of Assembly as the only constitutionally recognised law-making body for the oil-rich state.

APP’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Emeka Uwazurike, in a statement in Abuja on Monday, called on the lawmakers to continue to perform their legislative duties in accordance with laid-down rules and regulations.

APP particularly endorsed the decision of the Oko-Jombo-led Assembly to screen a commissioner nominee, Bar. Emmanuel Frank-Fubara.

The party insisted that contrary to speculation in some quarters, the recent Appeal Court judgement did not void the declaration of the seats of the 27 pro-Wike lawmakers vacant.

The 27 pro-Wike lawmakers are no longer members of the Rivers State House of Assembly; their seats remain vacant because the Appeal Court didn’t decide on the validity of their illegal decampment nor the declaration of their seats vacant.

“As a promoter of constitutional democracy and rule of law, there can only be one legislative body for Rivers State and we advise the sacked 27 pro-Wike lawmakers to stop parading themselves as legislators for the state, having lost their seats,” the party noted.

The state Assembly loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara had, in a letter of invitation signed by its Clerk, Dr. G. M. Gillis-West directed that the commissioner nominee appear before it on Monday by 10 am at the alternative assembly auditorium, located at the administrative block of the Rivers State Government House, Port Harcourt, with copies of his credentials.