Rivers Assembly Reinstates Three Pro-Fubara Lawmakers, Rescinds Declaration Of Vacant Seats

The Rivers State House of Assembly has rescinded its earlier decision to declare the seats of three lawmakers loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara vacant, restoring them to the House.

The affected lawmakers are Victor Oko-Jumbo, Sokari Goodboy Sokari, and Orubienimigha Timothy.

The decision followed letters dated 16th October 2026, in which the three lawmakers pleaded to be called back. The letters were read by the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, during plenary today.

In the letters, each of the lawmakers explained that they never saw the correspondence lifting their suspension, which was why they did not attend sittings, and appealed to the House to rescind its decision.

The House had, on 30th October 2023, at the height of the political crisis in the state, suspended the three lawmakers for alleged misconduct. The suspension was lifted on 20th December 2023, after the first peace meeting initiated by President Bola Tinubu between the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

However, following the lawmakers’ failure to attend sittings after the suspension was lifted, the House declared their seats vacant on 15th October 2025, in line with Section 109(1)(e) of the Constitution. The Assembly also wrote to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a by-election to fill the vacant seats.

After debate on the letters by members, the House voted to rescind its decision. The Speaker addressed lawmakers shortly after the vote.