A well-known leader in Rivers State has expressed serious constitutional concerns over recent political events in the state’s House of Assembly, pointing specifically to the known party defections of some MPs.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
Speaking during a detailed interview with Symfoni TV, High Chief Sunnie Chukwumele, the Convener of National Conference and Rivers Leaders of Thoughts, emphasized the constitutional implications of elected officials changing political parties.
“The Constitution states that when you leave a party that elected you, you lose your seat,” Chukwumele asserted, referencing the clear constitutional provision regarding party defections. He proceeded to highlight the crucial role of media documentation in these political events.
“The media is one institution that people take for granted. The media stores history,” Chukwumele stated, adding, “The history in your archives has it, it remains evergreen.”
The elder statesman detailed specific events that were publicly documented: “They flew the flags of APC. It was read by the then Speaker, Martin Amaewhule that they had left the party. They were also received by APC at a public function.”
Chukwumele particularly emphasized the comprehensive media coverage of these events, noting, “The print media records it. The electronics media records it.”
However, he expressed uncertainty about the judicial interpretation of these documented events. ” I do not know If those records become invalid in the eyes of the law. The extant law is the Constitution,” he explained. “If the Judiciary looks the other way, those evidence under the Evidence Act, are no longer admissible, then the members of the assembly will have their lives back.”CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
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