EXCLUSIVE: APC Moves To Field Candidates To Replace Rivers Sacked Lawmakers
Stakeholders in the All Progressives Congress (APC) have insisted that they are ready to field candidates into the seats vacated by sacked Rivers State Lawmakers over their defection.
Ibom Focus had reported that the Court of Appeal Abuja refused to reverse the removal of Martins Chike Amaewhule and 26 others as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
In a ruling which was delivered virtually on Friday, the Appellate Court had said giving a verdict reversing the decision of a Federal High Court which declared their seats vacant, would amount to pre-judging the appeal currently before it.
The three-member panel also fixed June 20 for the hearing of the appeal by Amaewhule and others, which is a request to get back their seats as members of the State House of Assembly.
The justices prayed all parties in the matter to maintain the status quo and cease every form of hostilities until the matter was heard and decided.
However, the stakeholders under the APC Reform Group in a statement noted that that the party was ready to field fresh candidates to replace sacked lawmakers, adding that the APC also welcomed the Appeal Court’s verdict on the removal of Martins Amaewhule and 26 others as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The group described the ruling as a resounding victory for democracy, the rule of law, and the principles of political integrity, noting that the ruling party was prepared to field candidates into the seats vacated by Amaewhule and others who are “caught in a web of defection”.
He asserted that only credible candidates who align with the party’s principles and philosophy would be considered, not political jobbers like Amaewhule and his colleagues without a party.
“We warmly welcome the Appeal Court’s decision to uphold the Federal Court’s verdict declaring the seats of 26 Rivers State House of Assembly members vacant. This judgment is a resounding victory for democracy, the rule of law, and the principles of political integrity,” the statement said.
“We hail the judiciary for saving our democracy from political opportunism and destabilisation. The defected members’ attempt to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to our great party was a political miscalculation, and their subsequent denial of their defection exposed their lack of principle and loyalty. The judiciary has once again demonstrated its commitment to upholding the Constitution and ensuring that our democracy remains robust.
“We are prepared to field credible candidates for the forthcoming elections to fill the vacant positions. Our candidates will be selected based on their alignment with our party’s principles and philosophy, not political expediency. We will not consider the sacked members, who are now political jobbers without a party. Instead, we will choose candidates who share our vision for a better Rivers State and a greater Nigeria.
“We urge our supporters to remain steadfast and committed to our party’s ideals. We assure the good people of Rivers State that we will continue to work tirelessly to deliver on our promises and ensure that our state remains a model of good governance and democratic excellence.
“Once again, we commend the judiciary for this landmark judgment and reaffirm our commitment to upholding the rule of law and democratic principles.”
