Rivers Crisis: Abuja Court Restrains INEC From Conducting Fresh Elections To Fill Seats Of 26 Pro-Wike State Assembly Lawmakers
The Federal High Court in Abuja, today, restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from declaring the seats of 26 Rivers State House of Assembly members vacant and conducting fresh elections to fill their seats.
The deposed Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Martins Amaewhule, and 25 others secured an interim order restraining INEC, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Rivers House of Assembly, Clerk of the House and security agencies from declaring their seats and taking any action to declare the seats of the 26 plaintiffs vacant.
The lawmakers, who are loyal to the former Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike were listed as Hon. Martin Chike Amaewuhule, Hon. Dumle Maol, Hon. Major Jack, Hon. Linda Somiari-Stewart, Hon. Franklin Uchenna Nwaboshi, Hon. Christopher Kagbang Ofiks, Hon. Azeru Opara, Hon. Olabo George, Hon. Tonye Smart Adoki, Hon. Granville Tekenari Wellington, Hon. Mgbar Bernard, Hon. John Dominic Iderima, Hon. Queen Uwawa Tony Williams, Hon. Loolo Isaiah Opuende, Hon. Abbey Peter, Hon. Igwe Obey Aforji, Hon. Justina Emeji, Hon. Ignatius Onwuka, Hon. Chimezie Nwankwo, Hon. Lemchi Prince Nyeche, Hon. Barile Nwakoh, Hon. Emelia Lucky Amadi, Hon. Nkemjika Ezekwe, Hon. Davids Arnold Okobiriari, Hon. Nwankwo Sylvanus and Hon. Gerald Oforji.
Justice Donatus Okorowo of the Federal High Court in Abuja gave the order pending the determination of the hearing and determination of a motion on notice filed by the affected lawmakers.