Chairman affirms 26 embattled Rivers lawmakers as APC members

• Assembly screens, confirms five new commissioners

The reinstated Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Emeka Beke, has declared that the 26 lawmakers, led by Martin Amaewhule, are members of the party.

This comes amid lingering controversy over the lawmakers’ legitimacy, following their December 2023 defection to the APC and subsequent attempts to renounce membership of the party.

While speaking at a press briefing after his reinstatement by the Rivers State High Court, Beke emphasised that the lawmakers cannot deny their membership.

He announced plans to invite them to party meetings, stressing that they cannot escape their actions.

When questioned about the party’s stance on a Federal High Court suit seeking to declare the lawmakers’ seats vacant, Beke reiterated that the lawmakers are APC members, citing President Bola Tinubu’s directive to welcome them into the party .

He said: “Let me say it loud and clear to whomever wants to listen, Martin Amaewhule and others are members of the APC, and we are going to invite them for a meeting of this party when the time comes.

MEANWHILE, the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Victor Oko-Jumbo, in a move to strengthen the State Executive Council, yesterday, screened and confirmed five commissioner nominees.

The confirmation follows a request by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who had sent the names of the five nominees to the state Assembly for vetting.

The nominees are Ilamu Arugu, Dr Rowland Obed Whyte, and Dr Sam Anya. Others are Samuel Eyiba and Austin Emeka Nnadozie.

Their confirmation was announced by the Speaker, Victor Oko-Jumbo, on the floor of the House, paving the way for them to join the state executive council.

While fielding questions from lawmakers, the commissioner nominees said that they will bring their wealth of experience to bear, if cleared.

They, however, promised to discharge their duties diligently. Commencing debate on the screening, the House Leader, Sokari Goodboy Sokari, urged his colleagues not to delay the confirmation, adding that the nominees served the state in various capacities and are of proven integrity.

Sokari said that the speedy confirmation of the nominees would help fill the vacant positions in the Rivers State Executive Council, noting that the state has suffered a setback in that regard.

The Deputy Speaker, Timothy Orubienimigha, who toed the line of the leader for the confirmation of the nominees, seconded the motion as moved by leader.

The Speaker, in his remarks, said that the new commissioners are expected to bring their expertise and experience to bear in their respective portfolios, contributing to the development and growth of the state.