G60 Reps to Pro-Wike Lawmakers: ‘Appeal Court Verdict Did Not Reinstate You’

The G60 members of the House of Representatives have declared that the judgement of the Court of Appeal on the Rivers State House of Assembly did not reinstate the 27 sacked lawmakers.

The group, led by Ikenga Ugochinyere, said the Appeal Court did not void the sack of the 27 lawmakers.

Ugochinyere spoke to journalists on Thursday at the National Assembly shortly after the verdict by the court.

It would be recalled that the Court of Appeal ruled that the Rivers State High Court, which earlier ruled on the matter, lacks jurisdiction.

The Rivers State High Court had ruled that the 27 lawmakers, loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike, lost their seats due to their defection from the PDP to the APC. However, the court has ruled otherwise.

But Ugochinyere said the verdict did not mean voiding the sacking of the lawmakers.

“The Court of Appeal ruling today shouldn’t be misconstrued in any way. The pro-Wike sacked Rivers lawmakers’ seats remain vacant as the Appeal Court didn’t decide on the validity of their illegal decampment nor the declaration of their seats vacant.

“The Appeal Court focused on declaring that the Federal High Court is the only court with the jurisdiction to decide on the legality or illegality of decampment, thereby ruling against the Rivers High Court proceedings,” he said.