Rivers Assembly Reverses Vacancy for Fubara's Lawmakers

The Rivers State House of Assembly has rescinded its earlier decision to declare the seats of three pro-Governor Siminalayi Fubara lawmakers vacant. The lawmakers, Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo, Hon. Sokari Goodboy Sokari, and Hon. Orubienimigha Timothy, had their seats declared vacant on October 15, 2025, due to their absence from legislative sittings after their suspension was lifted.

The reversal came after the lawmakers submitted letters on October 16, 2026, explaining they did not receive notification of their suspension lift. Speaker Hon. Martin Amaewhule read the letters during a plenary session, leading to a vote that rescinded the previous decision.

The Assembly had suspended the trio on October 30, 2023, amid a political crisis involving Fubara and his predecessor, Wike. Their suspension was lifted on December 20, 2023, following a peace initiative by President Bola Tinubu.

The Assembly had also requested a bye-election from the Independent National Electoral Commission to fill the vacant positions.