The Rivers State House of Assembly has reversed its earlier decision declaring the seats of three lawmakers loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara vacant, in a significant political development coming barely 24 hours after a reconciliation meeting involving the governor and his estranged political benefactor, Nyesom Wike.
The decision, taken during plenary on Monday, October 19, 2026, effectively clears the way for the three legislators to return to the House after nearly three years of political disagreements that contributed to the prolonged crisis within the state’s legislative arm.
The affected lawmakers are Victor Oko-Jumbo, representing Bonny Constituency; Sokari Goodboy Sokari, representing Ahoada West Constituency; and Timothy Oruibienimigha, representing Opobo/Nkoro Constituency.
Their reinstatement followed separate letters of appeal submitted to the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, in which they expressed regret over their prolonged absence from legislative proceedings and explained the circumstances surrounding their failure to resume sitting.
The development represents a notable shift in the political atmosphere in Rivers State, where the bitter rivalry between Fubara and Wike has repeatedly disrupted legislative activities and divided political loyalties.
Confirming the decision in a statement issued on Monday, the Speaker’s media aide, Martins Wachukwu, said the House considered the lawmakers’ appeals during its 68th legislative sitting of the fourth session of the 10th Assembly.
According to the statement, the three legislators apologised to the House, explaining that they had not received official communication informing them that their suspension, imposed on October 30, 2023, had been lifted on December 20 of the same year.
The suspension was reportedly lifted following the intervention of President Bola Tinubu, who had convened discussions aimed at resolving the escalating political dispute between the governor and his former political ally.
The lawmakers maintained that their continued absence from legislative proceedings resulted from a communication gap rather than a deliberate decision to disregard the authority of the Assembly.
After considering their explanations, members of the House agreed that the circumstances warranted a review of the earlier decision declaring their seats vacant.
Speaker Amaewhule acknowledged that preliminary investigations suggested the lawmakers might not have received the correspondence notifying them of the lifting of their suspension.
He, however, stressed that the matter must be considered in accordance with the law rather than on the basis of emotional appeals.
Following deliberations, the Speaker put the proposal to rescind the earlier declaration to a vote, with lawmakers supporting the reinstatement of their colleagues.
The Assembly consequently withdrew its previous decision and invited the three lawmakers to resume legislative duties.
The latest development reverses a resolution adopted on October 15, 2024, when the House declared the legislators’ seats vacant over their continued absence from proceedings.
At the time, the Assembly relied on Section 109(1)(e) and (f), as well as subsection (2), of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, to justify its decision.
The House had also notified the Independent National Electoral Commission of the vacancies and requested the conduct of elections to fill the affected seats.
Monday’s resolution effectively reversed that position, restoring a pathway for the three lawmakers to participate in legislative business and represent their constituencies.
The decision comes against the backdrop of renewed political consultations involving key actors in the Rivers State crisis.
On Sunday, Wike, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, led members of the State House of Assembly and the chairmen of the 23 local government areas to a meeting with Governor Fubara at his private residence.
The meeting, which reportedly began at about 4.30 p.m., also involved representatives of a reconciliation committee led by Senator Magnus Abe and members of the Rainbow Coalition.
Sources familiar with the discussions said the gathering was aimed at resolving outstanding political disagreements and strengthening cooperation among influential stakeholders ahead of the 2027 general election.
Although the details of the discussions have not been publicly disclosed, the Assembly’s decision to reinstate the three lawmakers the following day has added significance to the renewed reconciliation efforts.
The political relationship between Wike and Fubara deteriorated shortly after the governor assumed office in 2023, triggering a prolonged struggle for influence over the state government and legislature.
The disagreement produced competing political camps, legislative divisions and repeated attempts by national political figures to restore stability.
President Tinubu had intervened in December 2023, facilitating a political arrangement intended to ease tensions between the rival factions.
However, disagreements over the implementation of the understanding contributed to further political uncertainty in the state.
With the 2027 elections approaching, the latest rapprochement between Wike and Fubara could have implications for political alignments in Rivers State, particularly given the strategic importance of the state in national electoral calculations.
Wike has been appointed coordinator of Tinubu’s 2027 presidential campaign council in Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory, placing him in a prominent position in the ruling party’s re-election efforts.
The reinstatement of the three lawmakers may therefore be viewed as an encouraging development in efforts to reduce tensions and restore cooperation within the state’s political institutions.
Nevertheless, whether the decision marks the beginning of a durable settlement or merely another temporary understanding remains uncertain.
For Rivers residents, who have watched the political confrontation unfold over several years, the immediate significance lies in the possibility of a more stable legislature and renewed attention to governance.
As the state moves towards another election cycle, the willingness of rival political actors to sustain dialogue and respect institutional processes will be crucial in determining whether the latest reconciliation efforts produce lasting political stability.
