The Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has affirmed the membership of 25 Rivers State House of Assembly members in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The court’s decision, delivered by Justice Okogbule Gbasam, dismissed a lawsuit filed by Wosa Amadi and three others, which sought to declare the seats of the 27 lawmakers vacant due to their alleged defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in December.
Justice Gbasam’s ruling emphasized that the claimants failed to provide sufficient evidence to prove the defection of the 27 lawmakers. The judge stated that allegations of defection cannot be substantiated through newspaper publications, radio announcements, or online reports. Instead, valid proof of defection must be based on party membership registers, membership cards, and adherence to the party’s membership requirements.
The court’s decision reinforces the status of Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule and his colleagues as members of the PDP, maintaining the party’s strength and stability within the Rivers State House of Assembly.
