The faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Victor Oko-Jumbo, has screened and approved a commissioner nominee sent by Governor Siminalayi Fubara. During the screening, the nominee, Dagogo Iboroma, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, pledged to uphold the rule of law and serve the state diligently. This session marked the first legislative meeting since the election of new principal officers, with Speaker Victor Oko-Jumbo backed by lawmakers supporting Governor Fubara.
Present at the screening were principal officers and former assembly members. The Speaker praised Governor Fubara for providing an auditorium in the government house as a temporary chamber after the main complex was burnt down. The auditorium was adopted as the new chamber, allowing the screening of Dagogo Iboroma.
Meanwhile, Human rights lawyer Femi Falana criticized Fubara for directing the assembly to meet at the Government House, asserting the independence of the legislature. Falana argued that Fubara’s executive order was invalid and referenced past legal precedents. He also contended that lawmakers who defected had lost their seats, citing Supreme Court rulings on party defections.
