ONE OF THE 27 RIVERS LAWMAKERS REVERSES COURSE AND REJOINS PDP

Babatunji Wusu –

Linda Somari Stewart, one of the 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who switched parties to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has now changed her mind.

Remember that 27 members of the House of Assembly defected from the PDP to the APC, allegedly out of loyalty to Nyesom Wike, the immediate governor of the state and minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

The members gave notice of their defection during Monday’s plenary session, citing internal PDP strife as the catalyst for their decision.

The source said: “The lawmaker representing Okrika in the State Assembly made a U-turn as the seats of the defectors were about to be declared vacant”.

Stewart, the State Assembly member for Okrika, made a U-turn before Speaker of the House Hon. Edison Ehie declared her seat and 26 others vacant, a source told SaharaReporters on Wednesday.
Stewart has switched allegiances, joining Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s side after defecting from Wike’s.

Martin Amaewhule’s faction in the Rivers State House of Assembly has rejected Edison Ehie’s recognition as the legitimate speaker of the State House of Assembly.

Remember that Amaehwule and 26 other legislators were barred from interfering with or disturbing the proceedings of the Ehie-led assembly by a High Court in Port Harcourt, ruled over by Justice M.W. Danagogo, until the motion’s decision was made on notice.

The Amaewhule-led group’s spokesperson, George Alabo, responded to the development in an interview with Channels Television on Wednesday, criticizing the court judgment recognizing Ehie as the assembly’s legitimate speaker.

Alabo said that the governor Siminalayi Fubara-led administration was emboldened to demolish the assembly structure by the court ruling.