Speaker notifies INEC on vacancies in Rivers State Assembly after defection to APC

By | December 17, 2023

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Rivers State House of Assembly Speaker Notifies INEC of Vacancies Following Defections

Rivers State House of Assembly

The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie, has formally notified the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) about the vacancies that currently exist in the Assembly. These vacancies were created by the defection of Rt. Hon Martin Amaewhule and 24 other members to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The notification to INEC is a crucial step in the process of filling the vacancies and ensuring the smooth functioning of the Assembly. As per the Nigerian constitution, when seats become vacant in the Assembly, the affected constituencies must hold by-elections to fill those seats. The Speaker’s notification to INEC initiates this process.

Defections in Nigerian politics have become increasingly common, often driven by a desire for political advantage or ideological disagreements within political parties. In this case, the defection of Rt. Hon Martin Amaewhule and the 24 others to the APC has significantly impacted the composition of the Rivers State House of Assembly and necessitated the need for by-elections.

Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie, as the Speaker of the House, has a constitutional responsibility to ensure that the Assembly continues to function effectively despite these vacancies. By notifying INEC promptly, he has taken the necessary steps to ensure that the affected constituencies can elect new representatives as soon as possible.

INEC, as the electoral body responsible for conducting elections in Nigeria, has received the notification from the Speaker and will now proceed with the necessary preparations for the by-elections. These preparations include setting dates for the elections, voter registration, and the deployment of electoral personnel to oversee the process.

By-elections provide an opportunity for voters in the affected constituencies to elect new representatives who will serve their interests and contribute to the legislative process. It is a democratic process that allows constituents to have a voice in the decision-making process at the state level.

The defections in the Rivers State House of Assembly highlight the fluid nature of Nigerian politics and the constant realignment of political alliances. Such realignments can have significant consequences for the balance of power within legislative bodies and the ability of political parties to implement their agendas.

It remains to be seen how these vacancies will be filled and what impact it will have on the functioning of the Rivers State House of Assembly. However, the timely notification to INEC by Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie demonstrates a commitment to uphold the democratic principles and ensure that the people’s voices are heard through the electoral process.

In conclusion, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly has formally notified INEC of the vacancies created by the defection of Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule and 24 others to the APC. This notification initiates the process of holding by-elections in the affected constituencies to fill these seats. By taking this step, the Speaker has fulfilled his constitutional responsibility and ensured that the Assembly can continue to function effectively. The upcoming by-elections will provide an opportunity for constituents to elect new representatives who will serve their interests and contribute to the legislative process.

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Source

@von_Bismack said Breaking: The Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie has formally notified INEC on the vacancies that exist in the Assembly following the vacancy created by Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule and 24 others as a result of their defection to APC. INEC has received… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

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