Breaking News: Rivers Assembly Clerk Disowns Victor Oko Jumbo As Speaker, Says Martin Amaewhule Remains Speaker

By the investigator Last updated May 10, 2024

…….Hon Jumbo,Hin Sokari and Hin Orubimie remains Suspended by the House -Clerk

Emmanuel lkpeama.

The Clerk, Rivers State House of Assembly, Dr Emeka Amadi, has said there was no change in the leadership of the assembly, stating that Rt. Hon.Martin Amaewhule remains the Speaker, while Rt. Hon. Dumle Maol and Hon. Major Jack remains Deputy Speaker and Majority Leader respectively.

In a press release signed by the clerk Rivers State House Of Assembly titled ‘A disclaimer by the Rivers State House of Assembly,’ issued on Thursday night, Amadi said apart from the seat of Khana Constituency II which was declared vacant because of death of the member who represented the constituency, no other seat has been declared vacant.

He went further to state that Hon. Victor Oko Jumbo, Hon. Sokari Goodboy Sokari and Hon. Adolphus Orubimie Timothy were suspended on the 30th of October 2023 pursuant to the Rules of the House and their suspension is yet to be lifted and they cannot lay claim to be officers of the House.

According to the statement,it reads“The attention of the Rivers State House of Assembly has been drawn to reports in the electronic and print media that there was a leadership change in the Rivers State House of Assembly today, the 8th day of May 2024. As the Clerk of the Rivers State House and one who administered the Oath of membership and office to all members and a custodian of all records of the House, I write to state the following:

“That there was no change in the leadership of the House today and Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule DSSRS remains the Speaker of the House while Rt. Hon. Dumle Maol DSSRS and Hon. Major Jack DSSRS remains Deputy Speaker and Majority Leader respectively.

“That apart from the seat of Khana Constituency II which was declared vacant because of death of the member who represented the constituency, no other seat has been declared vacant.

“That there is a subsisting judgement of a court of competent jurisdiction in Suit no. FHC/ABJ/CS/1613/2023 in which the Court among other orders” granted an ORDER OF INJUNCTION restraining the Governor of Rivers State (11th Defendant) whether by himself or by his agents and or hirelings or in any manner howsoever from impeding or frustrating the Rivers State House of Assembly under the leadership of the 2nd Plaintiff as the Speaker of the said House in the performance of their functions including holding of meetings and the transacting of the business of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

“That the House is still conducting legislative business in line with the Standing Orders of the House and the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as altered.

The clerk therefore urge the good people of Rivers State and the Nigerian Federation to disregard any discountenance arising from any media report purporting any recent change in leadership of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

It will be recalled that the factional Speaker, Victor Oko Jumbo,representing Bonny Constituency, who is said to be the new speaker for the entire 32-member Assembly, was said to be elected at 10am during plenary on Wednesday.

Oko-Jumbo who is one of the loyals to governor fubara was led to the plenary with the original mace of the Rivers State House of Assembly by the Sergeant-at-Arms, David Wariboko, who managed the last sitting of the Martin Amaewhule-led Assembly in the same position.

Nigeria..Rivers state