Rivers Assembly Crisis Deepens: Edwin Clark Petitions INEC Over Vacant Seats

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Rivers Assembly Crisis Deepens: Edwin Clark Petitions INEC Over Vacant Seats

The crisis in the Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA) has taken a new turn as elder statesman Edwin Clark petitions the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the 27 vacant seats in the assembly. Clark, in a letter to INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, demanded immediate by-elections to fill the vacant seats, citing the need for the people’s rightful voice in governance.

The vacant seats, resulting from the defection of lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), have left a significant representation gap in the assembly. Clark emphasized that the prolonged absence of representation deprives the people of their rightful voice in governance, stressing the need for INEC to fulfill its constitutional obligations.

“The prolonged absence of representation deprives the people of their rightful voice in governance,” Clark stated in his letter. “It is imperative that INEC takes immediate action to conduct by-elections to fill the vacant seats, as this is the only way to restore the people’s trust in the democratic process.”

The petition by Clark adds to the growing pressure on INEC to address the crisis in the Rivers State Assembly. The electoral commission’s response is pending, and the people of Rivers State await a resolution to the crisis, which has left their representation in the assembly hanging in the balance.

The crisis in the Rivers State Assembly began when 27 lawmakers defected from the PDP to the APC, leaving the assembly with a significant number of vacant seats. The defection sparked a heated debate, with the PDP accusing the APC of orchestrating the defections to gain control of the assembly.

 

The INEC has been criticized for its slow response to the crisis, with many calling for the electoral commission to take immediate action to conduct by-elections and fill the vacant seats. The commission has promised to take action, but a date for the by-elections has yet to be announced.

As the crisis in the Rivers State Assembly continues to unfold, the people of Rivers State remain hopeful that a resolution will be found soon. With Clark’s petition adding to the pressure on INEC, it remains to be seen how the electoral commission will respond to the crisis and restore representation to the people of Rivers State.




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