Toba Owojaiye reporting
Abuja, Nigeria
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has declared the House of Representatives seat for Ethiope East/Ethiope West Federal Constituency vacant after Hon. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The PDP has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to promptly organize a by-election to fill the vacant seat.
In a statement released on December 6, made available to Truth Live News, the PDP cited Section 68 (1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which mandates that a National Assembly member elected on a party’s platform must vacate their seat if they join another party before the end of their tenure. The party emphasized that Hon. Ibori-Suenu’s defection effectively ended her tenure, stripping her of all rights and privileges as a House of Representatives member.
The PDP also warned her against continuing to act as a representative, stressing that such behavior could constitute impersonation, a criminal offense. The party has tasked its National Legal Adviser with taking legal action to protect the mandate originally given to the PDP by the electorate in Ethiope East/Ethiope West.
The statement, signed by PDP National Publicity Secretary Hon. Debo Ologunagba, reaffirmed the party’s commitment to upholding constitutional integrity and preserving the people’s mandate.