The Rivers State House of Assembly, under the leadership of Speaker Rt. Hon. Martin Chika Amaewhule, has formally notified the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of vacancies in four constituencies and has called for elections to fill these seats.
In a letter addressed to the INEC Chairman on 15 October 2024, the Assembly declared the seats of the following constituencies vacant: Ahoada East Constituency II, Opobo Constituency, Bonny Constituency, and Ahoada West Constituency. These declarations were made in accordance with Sections 109(1)(x) and 109(1)(f) of the 1999 Constitution.
Hon. Edison Ogerenye Ehie, representing Ahoada East Constituency II, was among those whose seat was vacated. Speaker Amaewhule noted that Hon. Ehie had abandoned his legislative duties for nearly a year, following his appointment as Chief of Staff to the Rivers State Governor on 29 January 2024.
Similarly, the seats of Hon. Adulphus Timothy Onuibienimigha (Opobo Constituency), Hon. Victor Oko Jumbo (Bonny Constituency), and Hon. Sokavi Goodbuy Sokari (Ahoada West Constituency) were declared vacant due to their prolonged absence from legislative sessions, which amounted to 152 consecutive days over the course of the 10th Assembly’s sessions.
The Speaker requested that INEC conduct by-elections to fill the vacancies and restore representation for the affected constituencies. The letter emphasized the need for prompt action to ensure the people of these constituencies have proper representation in the House.
The Rivers State House of Assembly looks forward to the commission’s response and the scheduling of the necessary elections.
