The Rivers State Ethnic Youth Leaders Coalition (RSEYLC) has urged the 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, to stop denying their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Dr. Legborsi Yamaabana, the chairman of RSEYLC, stated in Port Harcourt yesterday that these lawmakers have lost their seats and legitimacy as required by Section 109(g) of the Nigerian Constitution.
“The Rivers State Ethnic Youth Leaders Coalition (RSEYLC) is appalled by the audacity and shamelessness of the 27 ex-members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who, having defected from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), now have the gall to deny their defection,” said Yamaabana.
He further added, “These individuals, who owe their positions to the PDP, have lost their seats and legitimacy as mandated by Section 109(g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
The statement criticized the lawmakers’ claims of obtaining a court judgment to remain in the PDP. “In a brazen display of dishonesty, they now falsely claim to have secured a court judgment asserting their continued membership in the PDP.
However, the Attorney General of Rivers State has countered that the suit was struck out for lack of locus standi and jurisdiction, as well as for being an abuse of court process,” Yamaabana explained.
RSEYLC condemned the lawmakers’ actions as “disgraceful” and an “insult to the intelligence of the people of Rivers State.” The statement emphasized, “Their actions are a stain on our democratic values and an affront to all who believe in truth and justice. We urge all who value integrity and good governance to join us in condemning these actions in the strongest terms.”
“The people of Rivers State deserve leaders who are honest and committed to serving their constituents, not self-serving opportunists who think they can fool us with their dishonorable antics,” Yamaabana concluded. “Rivers Youths will continue to stand firm against political deceit and corruption, advocating for the integrity and development of our great state.”
