The party in a statement issued on Tuesday in Port Harcourt by its Acting Chairman in Rivers State, Hon Nname Robinson Ewor, at the end of the party’s State Working Committee conference, accused the apex court of bias and granting reliefs on matters that were not presented before it.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State has strongly criticised the Supreme Court over its recent judgment regarding the defection of 27 lawmakers from the Rivers State House of Assembly and the seizure of the state’s monthly statutory allocation.
The party in a statement issued on Tuesday in Port Harcourt by its Acting Chairman in Rivers State, Hon Nname Robinson Ewor, at the end of the party’s State Working Committee conference, accused the apex court of bias and granting reliefs on matters that were not presented before it.
The controversy followed the Supreme Court’s ruling on February 28, 2025, which addressed the presentation of the 2024 Appropriation Bill by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
However, the PDP claimed that the court went further to make determinations on issues the litigants did not initiate and commenced action on including the membership status of the 27 lawmakers who defected from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC), as well as the withholding of Rivers State’s monthly allocation.
Ewor stated, “The issues of membership of the Rivers State House of Assembly and the Speakership of the House of Assembly, including defection, were not before the Supreme Court.
“What was before the Supreme Court was issues of the presentation of the 2024 Appropriation Bill (Budget).
“The issues Justice Omotosho decided was the 2024 Budget presentation.
“But the Supreme Court went ahead to grant reliefs litigants did not initiate and commence action, for example, status of the 27 lawmakers of the House, Defection of the 27 Rivers Assembly lawmakers and seizure of monthly statutory allocation to the state.”
The Rivers PDP said it completely disagrees with the position of the Supreme Court.
It said, “On the status of Rt. Hon Martins Amaewhule and the other 26 law makers, the Supreme Court said they have not defected, but as a party, we have records of their defection and we maintain that they are no longer members of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP.
“Evidence abound of their defection i.e, a sworn affidavit in an Abuja high court; reading of defection letters by the Speaker, Rt. Hon Martins Amaewhule at the Hallowed chambers; reception by the All Progressive Congress (APC) by their then Acting Chairman, Chief Tony Okocha in an event at Polo Club.
“Acknowledgment of their defection by the Eight Point Agenda Peace Accord by our dear president Bola Tinubu etc.
“The Supreme Court having affirmed their membership of the House of Assembly and Speakership, they are mandatorily expected to make laws for good governance of the State; receive the 2025 Appropriation Bill from the Governor and cooperate with the other arms of Government; Executive and Judiciary to ensure Security of lives and properties in the State.
“Instead of the Rt. Hon Martins Amaewhule-led Assembly to follow the path of peace by working towards the implementation of the Supreme Court Judgement, Amaewhule and 26 other lawmakers have again chosen the path of ‘dishonour.’”
The PDP emphasised that while the Supreme Court is the highest judicial authority in Nigeria, it is not infallible and is capable of making errors.
The party reaffirmed that Governor Fubara remains the duly elected leader of Rivers State and is responsible for implementing the court’s judgment.
The party noted that as part of the implementation, Governor Fubara has initiated the dissolution of the 23 Local Government Councils and scheduled new elections for August 9, 2025, under the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
The party also stated that Governor Fubara has also attempted to re-present the 2025 Appropriation Bill to the House of Assembly, but the Assembly refused to accept it.
Ewor noted that a second presentation has been scheduled for March 19.
The PDP disagreed with the Supreme Court’s decision to void the October 5, 2024, local government elections based on non-compliance with the 2022 Electoral Act.
The party argued that local government elections fall under the jurisdiction of the RSIEC, not the federal electoral law.
Furthermore, PDP stated that election matters should be handled by an election tribunal, not the Federal High Court in Abuja, which initially ruled on the matter.
Background
The crisis in the Rivers State House of Assembly stems from a deep political rift between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who is now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The conflict began shortly after Fubara took office in May 2023, despite Wike's instrumental role in securing his election victory under the platform of the PDP.
Political Fallout
Tensions between Fubara and Wike emerged when Fubara began consolidating power and asserting independence from Wike’s political influence. This reportedly angered Wike, who had expected to maintain significant control over the state’s political structure even after leaving office.
Defection of 27 Lawmakers
In December 2023, the conflict escalated when 27 lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly, who were loyal to Wike, defected from the PDP to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The lawmakers cited internal party disputes and loss of confidence in the PDP leadership as reasons for their defection. Their departure left Fubara with minimal legislative support, threatening his ability to govern effectively.
Attempted Impeachment and Political Tensions
Before the defection, the assembly, dominated by pro-Wike lawmakers, had initiated impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara in October 2023. Fubara responded by attempting to dissolve the assembly, leading to a physical confrontation and the burning of the state assembly complex.