posted 17th March 2025
Nigerian Court Sets April Date for Ruling on Rivers State Defection Case
Port Harcourt, Nigeria – The Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has scheduled 16 April 2025 as the date for its ruling on an application that could see the dismissal of a high-profile defection case brought by the Labour Party against 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. The Labour Party is pushing for the lawmakers’ seats to be declared vacant, alleging they defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The case, which has stirred political tensions in Rivers State, saw heated arguments during the latest court session. Counsel for the defendants, including Speaker Martins Amaewhule, called for the case to be struck out, citing a recent Supreme Court judgement. Presenting a Certified True Copy of the verdict, the defence argued that the Supreme Court had reinstated the Amaewhule-led leadership of the Assembly. They further noted that Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who had initially accused the lawmakers of defecting, had since withdrawn those claims in a separate proceeding at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
In response, Labour Party counsel Clifford Chukwu countered that the issue of defection was merely a “collateral matter” in the Supreme Court’s ruling. He urged the court to reject the defendants’ request to dismiss the case, pointing to evidence of defection already submitted to the court.
The Supreme Court had previously ruled on 29 February that, without concrete evidence, no legal defection could be established, thereby preserving the current composition of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Speaking to Channels Television outside the courtroom, Chukwu expressed confidence in his arguments, stating, “I have made my submission, and it is now up to the court. The ruling on 16 April will determine whether the defendants’ position holds.”
The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the political landscape in Rivers State, as the Labour Party seeks to challenge the legitimacy of the lawmakers’ positions. All eyes will be on the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt when it delivers its decision next month.
