The Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has set April 16, 2025, as the date to deliver its judgment on a suit seeking to declare the seats of 27 Rivers State House of Assembly members vacant over their alleged defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The case, filed by the Labour Party, argues that the lawmakers—led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule—forfeited their seats by switching parties. However, the defendants have urged the court to dismiss the suit, citing a recent Supreme Court ruling that upheld their legitimacy.
During the hearing, Amaewhule’s legal team presented a Certified True Copy of the Supreme Court’s decision, which found no concrete evidence of defection and maintained the status quo of the assembly’s leadership. They also noted that Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara had withdrawn a related defection suit filed in Abuja.
In response, the Labour Party’s counsel, Clifford Chukwu, argued that the defection issue was a separate matter not fully addressed by the Supreme Court and urged the Federal High Court to proceed with its ruling.
The case highlights ongoing political tensions in Rivers State, with the court’s impending decision set to determine the fate of the 27 lawmakers.
