Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule and other pro-Wike lawmakers in Rivers State have discreetly retracted portions of an affidavit they submitted to the Federal High Court in Abuja, which previously affirmed their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC)......See Full Story>>.....See Full Story>>
This move follows a fallout between former Governor Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, and his successor, Siminalayi Fubara.
According to sources, the lawmakers, led by Amaewhule, appeared at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday to quietly withdraw parts of the affidavit filed in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1681/2023. In the original affidavit, Amaewhule stated under oath that he and 26 other Rivers State Assembly members were compelled to defect to the APC on December 5, 2023, citing “uncertainty and confusion” within the PDP.
The lawmakers initially obtained court orders based on the affidavit to retain their seats despite the defection. Following their oath in court, they were officially welcomed into the APC.
An insider revealed, “Today, pro-Wike lawmakers went to the Federal High Court to retract the affidavit confirming their defection to APC. They quietly withdrew it, which had been essential in securing court orders to keep their positions in office.”
The affidavit also mentioned threats from the PDP, who had petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw the lawmakers’ Certificates of Return and hold new elections for their seats. Similar political tensions were referenced in the affidavit, including a related situation in Edo State, where PDP pressured INEC to declare vacant the seats of defected Assembly members.
Based on this affidavit, Justice Donatus U. Okorowo issued a December 15, 2023, interim injunction preventing INEC and the Rivers State Assembly from declaring the lawmakers’ seats vacant or holding new elections. This order also barred interference with the lawmakers’ official duties until the motion’s resolution….READ FULL ARTICLES HERE