Rivers State Political Crisis Deepens as Defections Render Assembly Ineffective, Says Magnus Abe
The political turmoil in Rivers State has reached a critical point, with former Senator Magnus Abe highlighting the dire consequences of the recent mass defection of lawmakers. In an interview on Arise TV, Abe revealed that the defection of 27 out of 32 members of the State House of Assembly has left the remaining members unable to form a quorum, effectively paralyzing the legislative arm of the government. This development, he argued, underscores the need for urgent political intervention rather than relying solely on legal solutions to resolve the crisis.
The crisis stems from a bitter feud between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. The rift led to the defection of 27 lawmakers loyal to Wike from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). While defection is not uncommon in Nigerian politics, Abe emphasized that the scale of this exodus has created an unprecedented situation in Rivers State. He stressed that the absence of a quorum has rendered the House of Assembly ineffective, leaving the state in a precarious political and administrative limbo.
Abe explained that defection in Nigeria follows a formal process, which complicates the current impasse. Lawmakers are only recognized as members of the legislature after being sworn in by the Speaker, and their seats must be formally declared vacant upon defection. However, with only a handful of lawmakers remaining, the House lacks the quorum needed to declare the seats of the defectors vacant. This legal loophole, according to Abe, has left the situation in a state of uncertainty, with no clear resolution in sight.
The former senator called for a political solution to the crisis, noting that the judiciary, while essential for interpreting laws, cannot impose political harmony. He expressed concern that the crisis has escalated to the Supreme Court, a development he believes could have been avoided through dialogue and negotiation. As the political standoff continues, the people of Rivers State are left to bear the brunt of an ineffective government, with no end in sight to the deepening crisis.
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