The Rivers State House of Assembly has reversed its earlier decision to declare the legislative seats of three lawmakers loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara vacant, restoring their membership to the House. The affected legislators are Victor Oko-Jumbo, Sokari Goodboy Sokari, and Orubienimigha Timothy.
Reinstatement Letters Read During Plenary
According to Channels Television, Speaker Martin Amaewhule read the reinstatement letters aloud during plenary before members debated and voted to reverse the seat-vacancy declaration. The letters, dated October 16, 2026, were written by each of the three lawmakers, pleading to be reinstated after their seats were declared vacant in 2025.
The lawmakers explained in the letters that they never received notice that their suspension had been lifted, which was the reason for their absence from House sittings. They asked the House to reconsider and restore their seats.
Background of the Suspension and Vacancy Declaration
The path to Tuesday's reversal stretches back to the height of the political crisis in Rivers State. On October 30, 2023, the House suspended the three lawmakers on grounds of alleged misconduct. Their suspension was lifted on December 20, 2023, following a peace meeting brokered by President Bola Tinubu between FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and Governor Fubara.
Despite the lifting of their suspension, the three legislators did not return to the chamber. The House, citing their continued absence, declared their seats vacant on October 15, 2025, relying on Section 109(1)(e) of the Constitution, which allows the legislature to vacate the seat of any member who is absent from sittings without permission for a prescribed period. The Assembly subsequently wrote to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct by-elections for the three constituencies.
Debate and Vote to Rescind Decision
Amaewhule presented the letters to members at the plenary session. After debate among lawmakers on the matter, the House voted in favour of rescinding its earlier decision, paving the way for the return of all three legislators to the chamber.
Meanwhile, Legit.ng also reported that the FCT Minister Nyesom Wike paid a visit to Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara at his Port Harcourt residence on Sunday, October 18, 2026. The visit centred on reconciliation between Fubara's supporters and the Rainbow Coalition as Wike pushed for a united political front.
The meeting drew strong reactions from Nigerians who questioned whether Fubara would align with Wike and President Tinubu ahead of 2027.
