The Rivers State House of Assembly has recalled three lawmakers loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, in a development linked to ongoing efforts to resolve the political crisis in the state.
The lawmakers are Timothy Oruibienimigha, representing Opobo/Nkoro Constituency; Victor Oko-Jumbo, representing Bonny Constituency; and Sokari Goodboy Sokari, representing Ahoada West Constituency.
The decision followed appeals submitted by the lawmakers to the Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, seeking the reversal of an earlier resolution declaring their seats vacant.
The development also comes amid renewed reconciliation efforts involving Fubara, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and their respective political allies.
According to reports, the latest move was among the outcomes of a meeting held at the governor’s private residence in Port Harcourt on Sunday, bringing together stakeholders from both camps.
During plenary, the Speaker read the lawmakers’ separate letters of appeal, in which they apologised to the Assembly and explained their prolonged absence from legislative sittings.
They maintained that they had not received official communication informing them that their suspension, initially imposed on October 30, 2023, had been lifted on December 20, 2023, following presidential intervention.
Members of the Assembly debated the appeals and expressed support for reconsidering the earlier decision. Amaewhule said the issue required consideration based on the available facts rather than emotions, noting that investigations suggested the lawmakers might not have received the correspondence as claimed.
The Speaker subsequently put the motion to a vote, and members unanimously supported rescinding the resolution declaring the seats vacant.
The lawmakers’ suspension was initially lifted in December 2023 after intervention aimed at resolving the political dispute. However, the Assembly later moved to declare their seats vacant on October 15, 2024, citing their continued absence from legislative activities and invoking relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution.
The latest decision marks another development in the prolonged political tensions that have divided Rivers State’s political leadership.
Meanwhile, reconciliation meetings between supporters of Fubara and Wike have intensified ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the governor’s residence emerging as a venue for discussions involving prominent political figures.
Those reportedly involved in the meetings include former Rivers State Chief of Staff Edison Ehie, former Rivers East senator George Sekibo, Rainbow Coalition Reconciliation Committee Chairman Magnus Abe, former state Attorney-General Adokiye Amiesimaka, former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) state chairman Chukwuemeka Aaron, and other political stakeholders.
Former member of the House of Representatives, Ogbonna Nwuke, described the meetings as part of efforts to restore peace and strengthen cooperation among political leaders in the state.
Nwuke said the reconciliation process reflected a willingness among the various camps to move beyond past disagreements and work together.
He added that both Fubara and Wike remained important figures within the Rainbow Coalition, expressing optimism that the renewed understanding could help restore unity among members.
The latest developments signal a possible shift in Rivers State’s political landscape as stakeholders seek to consolidate their alliances ahead of the next general elections.
