Court Dismisses Labour Party Suit Challenging Legitimacy Of 27 Rivers Lawmakers

The Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has dismissed a suit filed by the Labour Party LP challenging the legitimacy of 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly accused of defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party PDP to the All Progressives Congress APC.

Presided over by Justice E.A. Obile, the court ruled on Tuesday that it lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter, citing a binding decision by the Supreme Court delivered on February 28, 2025, which had already addressed the issue.

In Suit No: FHC/PH/25/2024, the Labour Party sought a declaration that the lawmakers defection was unconstitutional under Section 2723 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, and requested their seats be declared vacant. However, Justice Obile ruled that the matter was res judicata, having already been decided by the apex court.

The Supreme Courts judgment is binding on this court, Justice Obile stated. The issue of the lawmakers status has been settled, and this court lacks jurisdiction to reopen it.