The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is calling on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to promptly initiate fresh elections for the 27 vacant State Constituencies in Rivers State.
This call comes in the wake of the defection of 27 former State lawmakers from the Rivers State House of Assembly to the All Progressives Congress (APC), prompting the PDP to assert that their seats are now legally vacant under Section 109 (1) (g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
The PDP stands firm in its stance that, with the defection of these lawmakers from the platform of the PDP, the very party through which they secured their positions in the Rivers State House of Assembly, their seats automatically become vacant.
This legal standpoint is grounded in Section 109 (1) of the 1999 Constitution, specifying that a House of Assembly member must vacate their seat if they become a member of another political party before the expiration of the election term.
According to the Supreme Court’s interpretation, this applies unequivocally to the 27 lawmakers who have defected.
In alignment with constitutional provisions, the PDP urges the Speaker of the Rivers State House Assembly to promptly declare the seats of the 27 former lawmakers as vacant.
This, the party insists, is a necessary step to uphold the integrity of the legislative process.
With the seats now officially vacant, the PDP further calls on INEC to exercise its duty within the stipulated timeframe as outlined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
Fresh elections are crucial to fill these vacated positions, ensuring representation for the 27 State Constituencies in Rivers State.
The PDP issues a stern warning to the defected lawmakers, advising them to refrain from presenting themselves as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Such actions, the party emphasizes, would constitute impersonation and carry serious criminal consequences.
Signed:
Hon. Debo Ologunagba
National Publicity Secretary
