Rivers 27 Lawmakers Defections Can’t Make Them Lose Seats, I defected As Senator Too, Says Senator Abe

The former Rivers State Senator, Senator Magnus Abe reacted during the Luncheon organized by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chief Barrister Nyesom Wike to honor the embattled 27 Lawmakers, who Defected in Port Harcourt Rivers State

Below is his speech

Last night, I joined the Honourable Minister of the FCT, my friend & brother, H.E. Nyesom Wike -CON, and several other prominent sons and daughters of Rivers State, at the Luncheon specially organized in honor of the members of the Rivers State House of Assembly in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Speaking to the issues in Rivers State, as a former member of the Rivers State House of Assembly who was voted the best legislator at the time and a two-term member of the Senate, I think I have the credentials to speak.

On the point of law, there is nowhere in our constitution that allows for three (3) persons to sit and appropriate the resources of the state. Our democracy is guided by the principle of a broad majority, and going by that, the 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, are the assembly.

Whether the members defected or not, the constitution allows that. I defected on the floor of the senator from PDP to APC; I didn’t lose my seat, and David Mark, being the senate President at the time, didn’t declare my seat vacant. The presiding officer Rt. Hon. Martins Ameawhule didn’t declare the seats of these members vacant, so they remain members.

We must understand that constitutionally, the ultimate power lies with the people and it is established in their representatives, which is either the state assembly or the National Assembly. Being guided by this fact is important.