- Safiu Kehinde
Rivers State House of Assembly has extended the invitation ultimatum issued to the state’s Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to another 78 hours.
NPO reported that the Martin Amaewhule-led Assembly had, on Wednesday, summoned the RSIEC Chairman over the conduct of the October 5, 2024 local government election.
The Assembly had threatened to issue a warrant for his arrest if he fails to appear before the chamber.
Recall that Amaewhule and other 26 suspended lawmakers were, last week, reinstated by the Supreme Court.
The apex court also reaffirmed Amaewhule as the legitimate Speaker of the Assembly.
Following their reinstatement, the Assembly had issued 48 hours ultimatum to RSIEC and River State government.
While the legislative chamber had ordered the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to re-present the nomination list for Commissioners and other appointments, RSIEC was invited over the conduct of the local government election.
Reacting in a statement issued by his legal counsel, Kenneth Amadi, the RSIEC Chairman had warned the Assembly against failure to withdraw the initial 48-hour ultimatum.
He held that the ultimatum contradicted the principles of fair hearing enshrined in the Section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. 1999 and the case law Of El-Rufai vs. House of Representatives, National Assembly (2003).
According to the statement, the Assembly supposed to give a seven days’ notice for the summon as against the dictatorial ultimatum.
Enebeli’s counsel had added that the Assembly need to undergo a re-orientation training workshop to understand the scope of their power as legislatures.