The political turmoil in Rivers State has escalated as a faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly aligned with Governor Siminalayi Fubara elected Victor Oko-Jumbo, the representative for the Bonny constituency, as their speaker.

Oko-Jumbo's election, reportedly held at 10 am during Wednesday's plenary session, was carried out by the Standing Order of the House. He emerged as the new speaker for the entire 32-member Assembly.

Previously, during the onset of the state's political crisis, Oko-Jumbo was among the four legislators loyal to Fubara. They had initially elected Edison Ehie as the speaker, who later resigned from the State Assembly and assumed the role of Chief of Staff to the Governor.

The exact number of lawmakers present during Oko-Jumbo's election as speaker remains unclear. However, he was escorted to the plenary with the original mace of the Rivers State House of Assembly by the Sergeant-at-Arms, David Wariboko, who oversaw the last sitting of the Martin Amaewhule-led Assembly.

In his acceptance speech, Oko-Jumbo thanked

the members for electing him as the new Speaker following Ehie's resignation. He urged the Executive, Judiciary, and the public to disregard any laws purportedly enacted by the Amaewhule-led Assembly, labeling them as futile.

Oko-Jumbo highlighted the defection of 25 former lawmakers from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All-Progressives Congress (APC) on December 11, 2023. He emphasized that the actions of the Amaewhule-led Assembly members are void in the eyes of the law, citing legal precedent.

Furthermore, Oko-Jumbo called upon Governor Fubara to cease any further interactions with the defected lawmakers, asserting that the current House of Assembly is legally recognized and constitutionally authorized. He expressed confidence in the support of his colleagues as they collaborated with Governor Fubara to advance the progress and welfare of Rivers State.