Chief Edwin Clark, a respected Niger Delta elder, has demanded an investigation into the alleged misuse of oaths by lawmakers of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to former State Governor Nyesom Wike.
The lawmakers are led by Martins Amawhule.
Clark has accused them of contradicting themselves about their party loyalties while under oath.
Clark, a chieftain in the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), released a statement on Wednesday.
He stated that Amawhule and his associates had given statements under oath, sometimes claiming they were members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and at other times aligning with different political affiliations. This, Clark said, is a serious matter that requires police investigation.
Clark’s statement also criticized recent court rulings on the Rivers State House of Assembly situation, calling the judgments “obtained by fraud.” He claimed that Amawhule and other lawmakers withheld essential information, which he argued influenced the decisions by Justice James Omotoso and the Court of Appeal.
The issue traces back to December 11, 2023, when Amawhule and 26 other members of the Rivers State House of Assembly left the PDP and joined the All Progressives Congress (APC). Clark emphasized that this act violated Section 109(1)(g) of the Nigerian Constitution, which says that any lawmaker who switches parties without just cause should lose their seat. He argued that by leaving the PDP, these lawmakers effectively gave up their positions in the Assembly.
After the defection, Amawhule and his colleagues reportedly filed legal documents that contained contradictory statements about their party affiliations. Clark believes that this deception invalidates a January 22, 2024, ruling by Justice Omotoso. In Clark’s view, the court did not consider that the lawmakers should have lost their seats due to their defection.
Additionally, Clark voiced concerns over actions taken by Justice Okorowo, who halted efforts by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to replace the lawmakers after they defected. Clark pointed out that this decision came just before Justice Okorowo’s promotion to the Court of Appeal, raising questions about the judgment’s timing.
In the statement, Clark also expressed disappointment with the Court of Appeal’s recent comments directed at the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.