AGAIN: EBONYI SPEAKER DECLARES SEATS OF 3 LAWMAKERS VACANT, WRITES INEC

REPORTER: AMECHI ODO

Ebonyi State House of Assembly has declared the seats of three members of the Assembly elected under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) vacant.

The Speaker of the House, Mr. Francis Nwifuru, during plenary in Abakaliki said the affected lawmakers were Mr. Ali Okechukwu, representing Ishielu North; Mrs. Franca Okpo, representing Abakaliki North; and Mr. Victor Aleke, representing Ebonyi West.

Presenting a letter purportedly written by the three lawmakers, the Speaker explained that their seats became vacant following their resignation from the House.

Mr. Nwifuru ordered the clerk of the House to write to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the need to conduct fresh elections in the affected constituencies.

When contacted, one of the affected lawmakers, Mr. Victor Aleke, maintained that they were still members of the House of Assembly and described the resolution of the House as illegal.

Recall that the House had in a similar manner declared the seats of the Deputy Speaker of the House, Chief Obasi Odefa; and that of Ngozi Eziulo, representing Afikpo North East vacant.

Their case is presently pending in court.