According to The Vanguard, a significant political shift occurred in Rivers State, bringing a fresh twist to the ongoing crisis. The Court of Appeal in Abuja ruled in favor of Martins Amaewhule and 26 other Assembly members, providing a moment of respite for them.
This judgment sparked widespread celebration among supporters of former Governor and current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. His loyalists interpreted the ruling as a victory, intensifying the political tension in the state. The court declared that the Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt lacked jurisdiction to rule on the defection validity of Amaewhule and his colleagues.
In response, the G-60 Federal Opposition Lawmakers Coalition in the National Assembly maintained that the 27 pro-Wike lawmakers remain sacked and their seats vacant. The Coalition's spokesperson, Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, emphasized that the Appeal Court did not address the legality of the lawmakers' defection but simply ruled that the Federal High Court had the appropriate jurisdiction.
Chief Tony Okocha, the caretaker committee chairman of the APC in Rivers State, welcomed the judgment, describing it as sound and unimpeachable. However, supporters of Governor Siminalayi Fubara suggested defection from the PDP, citing a lack of support from both state and national party leadership. Franklin Ntekim, a political commentator, criticized the PDP's neglect of the Governor, while human rights activist Solomon Lenu also backed the call for defection, warning that Fubara's political future was at risk if he remained in the PDP.
Calls for Fubara's defection were met with mixed reactions. The director general of Simplified Movement, Governor Fubara’s grassroots political group, Hon. Evans Bapakaye Bipi, reaffirmed loyalty to the Governor's decisions. Elder statesman Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe advised caution, suggesting it was too early to advocate for defection.
The Rivers State chairman of the Labor Party, Hilda Dokubo, welcomed the possibility of Fubara joining their party, emphasizing his right to choose his political path. Governor Fubara, last month, criticized the PDP for failing the people of Rivers State, signaling a potential shift in his political allegiance.
This unfolding political drama continues to shape the landscape of Rivers State, with its future direction still uncertain.