A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Monday, restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission from conducting bye-election to replace 27 Rivers Assembly members who defected to the All Progressives Congress.
On December 11, 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly said to be loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, reportedly defected to the APC.
Presiding judge, Justice Donatus Okorowo, gave the order on Friday, but it was made available to First News on Monday.
The court also stopped the four-member House of Assembly led by Speaker Edison Ehie from declaring vacant the seat of the 27 APC Rivers Assembly Members.