In a recent TVC interview, Chibike Ikenga, the Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Caretaker Committee in Rivers State, addressed the contentious issue of the party affiliation of 27 Rivers lawmakers. Ikenga emphasized that despite reports of their defection to the APC, these lawmakers are still legally considered members of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) according to a ruling by Justice Bassam.
Ikenga elaborated on the court's decision, noting that the case against the lawmakers failed to provide sufficient evidence of their resignation from the PDP and subsequent defection to the APC. "The court under Justice Bassam has ruled that they have not left their party and they still remain members of the party because those who took them to court did not provide evidence to show that they have actually resigned from their party and joined the other party, the APC," Ikenga stated.
Further complicating the matter, Ikenga argued that even if the lawmakers had defected, Governor Siminalayi Fubara lacks the authority to declare their seats vacant. He asserted, "Even assuming they had left their party, the governor does not have the right to declare their seats vacant by stating that he does not recognize their status."
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