By George Onah
No fewer than 21 serving Rivers lawmakers and eight representatives, among them three principal officers, have been rejected by the electorate in the state as they all failed the primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, which held last weekend in Port Harcourt.

Vanguard gathered that only 11 out of the 32 serving lawmakers managed to scale the primaries as recorded in the various constituencies in the state, although the party has not officially announced the results.

The principal officers thrown out of the House of Assembly include the Deputy Speaker, Chief Whip and Deputy Leader who failed in his quest for the ticket of the House of Representatives for ONELGA/Ahoada West Federal constituency.

Two of the four female members, Tamuno Maureen (Ogu/Bolo) and Linda Stewart (Okrika) lost their positions in the primaries, while the lawmakers of Ikwerre, Ahoada East, Gokana, ASALGA 11 and PHALGA kissed the dust at the event.

Also, those representing Etche, Obio/Akpor, AKULGA, Khana 1 and Omuma 1 failed to convince their people in their efforts to return to the Assembly. For the House of Representatives Henry Ogiri (Abua/Odual) could not realize his ambition for Abuja.

However, the Speaker of the House Mr. Tonye Harry (Degena), House Leader Chidi Lloyd (Emohua) and Deputy Chief Whip Irene Inimgba (PHALGA) as well as Onari Brown (AKULGA) were victorious.

The eight House of Representatives members who lost include Ike Chinwo of Obio/Akpor, Chinyere Igwe – Port Harcourt 11 and Igo Aguma – PHALGA. Others include Olaka Wogu, John Kalipa, Christopher Berewari, Emmanuel Deeyah and Georgewill Nwosu.

For the Senate seats, Senator Lee Maeba failed in the primaries while Senators Wilso Ake and George Sekibo were returned to contest the seats at the election proper.