Press Release: PDP Urges INEC to Conduct Fresh Elections in Wake of Mass Defection in Rivers State
In a statement released on Monday, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to organize new elections in the 27 state constituencies of Rivers State.
This request comes in response to the defection of 27 members of the Rivers State Assembly from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The PDP argues that, in accordance with Section 109 (1)(g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the seats of the 27 lawmakers have automatically become vacant due to their departure from the PDP, the party under whose platform they were originally elected into the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Citing Section 109(1) of the Constitution, PDP National Spokesman Debo Ologunagba emphasized that “a member shall vacate their seat if they become a member of another political party before the expiration of the period for which the House was elected.”
The PDP contends that the Supreme Court’s interpretation supports the view that the defected members have forfeited their seats, rights, privileges, recognition, and obligations.
The PDP is now urging the Speaker of the Rivers State House Assembly to adhere to the Constitution by promptly declaring the seats of the 27 former lawmakers vacant.
With these vacancies in mind, the party is requesting INEC to conduct fresh elections within the stipulated period outlined in the Constitution to fill the voids.
The party has issued a warning to the defected lawmakers, cautioning against presenting themselves as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, as such actions could lead to charges of impersonation with serious legal consequences.
The full statement by the PDP, signed by Hon. Debo Ologunagba, the National Publicity Secretary, reads:
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is calling on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately initiate the process of holding new elections for the 27 State Constituencies in Rivers State.
This call comes as a result of the defection of the 27 former State lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The PDP argues that, in accordance with Section 109 (1) (g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the seats of these lawmakers have become vacant due to their departure from the PDP, the political party under which they were originally elected.
To clarify, Section 109 (1) of the 1999 Constitution stipulates that “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.”
According to this constitutional provision and its interpretation by the Supreme Court, the PDP asserts that the defected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have forfeited their seats, along with the associated rights, privileges, recognition, and obligations.
The PDP is urging the Speaker of the Rivers State House Assembly to promptly adhere to the constitutional provision by declaring the seats of the 27 former lawmakers vacant.
Given the now-existing vacancies in the 27 State Constituencies in Rivers State, the PDP insists that INEC should conduct new elections within the constitutionally specified period to fill these vacancies.
The party warns the defected lawmakers against presenting themselves as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, as such actions could lead to charges of impersonation with severe criminal consequences.
The PDP expresses appreciation to the people of Rivers State for their unwavering commitment to democracy and the rule of law during this period.