Damagum asks INEC to conduct bye-election to fill seats of pro-Wike lawmakers in Rivers

Umar Damagum, the acting chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a bye-election to fill “vacant” seats in the Rivers state house of assembly.

Damagum’s demand is contained in a letter dated December 12, 2023, addressed to Mahmood Yakubu, INEC chairman.

In the letter seen by TheCable, the electoral umpire acknowledged receipt of the document on November 13, 2024.

BACKGROUND

In October 2023, Ehie Edison, a member loyal to Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers, was elected speaker of the factional assembly after his removal as house leader by lawmakers led by Martin Amaewhule.

On December 11, 27 lawmakers of the assembly led by Amaewhule defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The lawmakers are loyal to Nyesom Wike, the immediate past governor of Rivers and the current minister of the federal capital territory (FCT).

On December 12, Edison declared the lawmakers’ seats vacant.

However, Edison resigned as a lawmaker to become chief of staff to the governor.

The affected lawmakers approached the court seeking to stop their replacement.

In September, a high court in Abuja dismissed a suit seeking the sack of the lawmakers, while Victor Oko-Jumbo has since been elected as the speaker of the assembly.

‘THE DEFECTION IS UNLAWFUL’

In the letter, Damugum described the defection of the lawmakers as a “gross violation” of section 109 (1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution.

“In view of the foregoing, we hereby demand that the commission perform its constitutional duties and begin the process of conducting a fresh election to fill the vacancies created in the 27 state constituencies by the unlawful act of the assembly members,” the letter reads.

“While thanking the commission for its commitment to deepening democracy in our country, please accept the assurances of our highest regards.”

The crisis in the Rivers house of assembly is attributed to the power struggle between Fubara and Wike.

Damagum is Wike’s ally.

It’s unclear why the party did not make the letter public ever since it was written.