The Action Peoples Party (APP) says they will appeal a court decision about 27 lawmakers who left their party in Rivers State.
On Friday, a court in Abuja said the APP’s complaint about these lawmakers leaving was something to talk about before an election, not after.
Uche Nnadi, the APP’s national chairman, disagrees with the court’s decision. He said that until a higher court says otherwise, the 27 lawmakers are still fired.
Nnadi argued that the ruling goes against the Constitution. He asked, “How can someone who hasn’t won an election yet be considered a legislator and then switch parties?”
He also mentioned that the APP is working on an appeal, and for now, they still consider Oko Jumbo the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
“So, switching parties is a pre-election issue now? That’s not in the Constitution,” he said.
He added that there were other cases in that court trying to stop the National Assembly from taking over the duties of the Rivers State Assembly.
Nnadi insisted no court has said that the 27 lawmakers leaving their party is okay. He stated firmly that they can’t bypass the rules. The case is being appealed. According to existing judgments, Oko Jumbo is still considered the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly.