27 pro-Wike lawmakers still PDP members – Rivers court rules

A Rivers State High Court ruled that Martin Amaewhule and 26 other lawmakers of the Rivers State House of Assembly are still members of the Peoples’ Democratic Party.

The court dismissed a case on Monday brought by Wosa Amadi and three others. The case sought to declare the seats of the 27 legislators vacant due to an alleged defection to the All Progressives Congress in December 2023.

Okogbule Gbasam, the presiding judge, ruled that Martin Amaewhule and the others remain members of the PDP.

Gbasam also ruled that the claimants failed to prove to the court that the 27 lawmakers truly defected to the APC, noting that the said defection cannot be established through Newspaper publications, Radio announcements or online publications.

He stated that defection requires confirmation via the party membership register, a valid membership card, and compliance with all party membership obligations.