In a dramatic turn of events, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has issued a compelling demand for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to initiate immediate steps towards conducting fresh elections in 27 State Constituencies of Rivers State. This call comes in the wake of the defection of 27 former state lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly from the party to the All Progressives Congress (APC), sparking a constitutional debate and a tense political standoff.
The PDP, in a strongly worded press statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, asserts that the defection of these lawmakers automatically renders their seats vacant, citing Section 109 (1) (g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
According to Section 109 (1) of the 1999 Constitution, “a member of a House of Assembly shall vacate his seat in the House if … (g) being a person whose election to the House of Assembly was sponsored by a political Party, he becomes a member of another political party before the expiration of the period for which that House was elected.”
The PDP, relying on the clear interpretation of this constitutional provision by the Supreme Court, contends that the 27 defected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have forfeited their seats along with the associated rights, privileges, recognition, and obligations.
In a direct call to action, the PDP demands that the Speaker of the Rivers State House Assembly swiftly adheres to the constitutional provision by declaring the seats of the 27 lawmakers vacant. This move sets the stage for what the PDP sees as a necessary step to uphold democratic principles and the rule of law.
The PDP is also demanding that INEC, within the stipulated period under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), conducts fresh elections to fill these positions of the lawmakers which it stresses have become vacant. The party underscores the urgency of the situation, cautioning against any delay that could potentially undermine the democratic process.
The PDP’s press statement also serves as a warning to the former lawmakers who, it claims, continue to parade themselves as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. The party emphasises that such actions amount to impersonation, carrying serious criminal consequences. This sharp rebuke adds a layer of tension to an already charged political atmosphere in the South-South state.
In a moment of acknowledgment, the PDP commends the people of Rivers State for their unwavering steadfastness and loyalty to democracy and the rule of law, particularly in the face of the current political turmoil. This commendation suggests an attempt by the party to align itself with the sentiments of the people and position its stance as a defence of democratic values.
As this political saga unfolds, the PDP’s demands set the stage for a potential electoral showdown in Rivers State, with implications that reach far beyond the boundaries of the state. The call for fresh elections becomes a pivotal point in the ongoing political landscape, raising questions about the stability of party affiliations and the resilience of democratic institutions.
