The Rivers State House of Assembly has rescinded its earlier decision declaring vacant the seats of three lawmakers loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, in a fresh development linked to ongoing efforts to resolve the state’s prolonged political crisis.
The affected lawmakers are Victor Oko-Jumbo, representing Bonny; Adolphus Timothy Oruibienimigha, representing Opobo/Nkoro; and Sokari Goodboy Sokari, representing Ahoada West.
The decision was taken during plenary on Monday after the Assembly considered a letter from the three lawmakers explaining their prolonged absence from the legislature.
In the letter, the lawmakers said they did not receive the correspondence directing them to resume legislative duties following the intervention of President Bola Tinubu in the political crisis.
They also apologised to the House for their absence, with the Assembly accepting the apology and directing them to resume their legislative duties.
Their reinstatement comes amid renewed efforts by political stakeholders to consolidate the peace process in Rivers State.
On Sunday, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, led members of the Rainbow Coalition to a meeting with Governor Fubara at his private residence in Port Harcourt.
The three lawmakers had been suspended on October 30, 2023, the same day the Assembly made its first attempt to initiate impeachment proceedings against Fubara.
They subsequently remained away from legislative sittings for nearly three years, amid the bitter political dispute between Fubara and his predecessor, Wike.
Their return to the Assembly is expected to further test the scope of the reconciliation process, which has attracted questions from some stakeholders over its implementation.
Critics had argued that the peace arrangement appeared incomplete because it did not initially provide for the lawmakers’ return to the legislature.
Despite their reinstatement, however, the three lawmakers will not return to the Assembly in the next legislative session, having been screened out of the All Progressives Congress, APC, primary election process.
If you want it even punchier, a stronger headline option is: “Rivers Assembly Reinstates Three Fubara Allies After Three-Year Absence”.
In the letter, the lawmakers said they did not receive the correspondence directing them to resume legislative duties following the intervention of President Bola Tinubu in the political crisis.
They also apologised to the House for their absence, with the Assembly accepting the apology and directing them to resume their legislative duties.
Their reinstatement comes amid renewed efforts by political stakeholders to consolidate the peace process in Rivers State.
On Sunday, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, led members of the Rainbow Coalition to a meeting with Governor Fubara at his private residence in Port Harcourt.
The three lawmakers had been suspended on October 30, 2023, the same day the Assembly made its first attempt to initiate impeachment proceedings against Fubara.
They subsequently remained away from legislative sittings for nearly three years, amid the bitter political dispute between Fubara and his predecessor, Wike.
Their return to the Assembly is expected to further test the scope of the reconciliation process, which has attracted questions from some stakeholders over its implementation.
Critics had argued that the peace arrangement appeared incomplete because it did not initially provide for the lawmakers’ return to the legislature.
Despite their reinstatement, however, the three lawmakers will not return to the Assembly in the next legislative session, having been screened out of the All Progressives Congress, APC, primary election process.