Defection: Court Strikes out Pro-Wike Lawmakers’ Suit Against INEC and PDP

 A Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out a suit filed by 27 lawmakers from the Rivers House of Assembly, led by Mr. Martin Amaewhule, against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Justice Peter Lifu ruled on October 30, 2024, after the lawmakers withdrew their case.

According to Vanguard, the court noted that the plaintiffs had submitted a notice of discontinuance, which was reviewed alongside arguments from all parties involved.

Justice Lifu observed that the suit had not yet commenced, as hearing was still pending and there were several applications related to the case.

The lawmakers had previously sought to prevent INEC from conducting fresh elections to fill their seats after defecting from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

An earlier interim order from Justice Donatus Okorowo had restrained INEC from declaring their seats vacant.

The ruling emphasized that a plaintiff can discontinue a suit before a hearing date, affirming the withdrawal of the suit.

As a result, the court struck out the entire case, clearing the way for the issues surrounding the lawmakers’ defection to be resolved without further legal contest.

This decision follows ongoing political tensions in Rivers State, particularly involving former Governor Nyesom Wike and his loyalists.