Rivers State High Court presided over by Justice Okogbule Gbasam has dismissed a suit seeking to declare vacant seats of members of the House of Assembly for alleged defection to the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Gatekeepers News reports that the Court in its judgment held that the lawmakers are still members of the People’s Democratic Party after the claimants failed to provide proof as required by law that the defendants are members of the All Progressives Congress.
Justice Gbasam further held that membership of a party is only proven by being listed on the party’s register, or by membership card, adding that television ceremonies and or verbal statements, were not enough to show the same.
Interestingly, the PDP had filed a motion to be joined in the case, and was added as the fourth defendant.
Justice Gbasam further held that the Rivers state government is bound to obey all laws passed by the Assembly, as they are still members of the PDP hence, their names are still in the PDP’s membership register as provided by the party.
He further posited that the state government is bound by the laws made by the Assembly, as they are still members of the PDP, and as such, haven’t lost their seats.
