The Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly has declared the seats of Edison Ehie, the Chief of Staff to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and three other pro-Fubara lawmakers vacant. The decision was made on Tuesday, October 15, citing absenteeism for 152 days without proper notification to the Assembly.

Amaewhule, during plenary, emphasized that Ehie failed to officially inform the House about his new position as Chief of Staff, leading to the vacancy declaration. Similarly, the seats of Victor Oko-Jumbo and two other lawmakers were declared vacant for their prolonged absence, which violated the provisions of the 1999 Constitution regarding lawmakers’ attendance.

The Assembly voted on three separate occasions to declare the seats vacant and agreed to inform the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct elections within 90 days to fill the positions and ensure representation for the affected constituencies.

In addition, the Assembly decided to give Governor Fubara another opportunity to present the 2024 Appropriations Bill, following the Appeal Court’s nullification of the N800 billion bill presented earlier to a parallel House led by Edison Ehie.