The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to promptly initiate new elections for the 27 State Constituencies in Rivers State, which have been left vacant due to the defection of former lawmakers to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a statement by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, the PDP emphasized that the defection of these lawmakers from the PDP, the platform on which they were initially elected into the Rivers State House of Assembly, automatically rendered their seats vacant as per Section 109 (1) (g) of the Constitution of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
Section 109 (1) of the Constitution specifies that “a member of a House of Assembly shall vacate his seat 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 the PDP, the clear interpretation of this constitutional provision by the Supreme Court dictates that the 27 lawmakers have forfeited their seats, rights, privileges, and obligations as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The party urges the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly to adhere to the Constitution by declaring the seats of the 27 former lawmakers vacant without delay.
With the vacancies in the 27 State Constituencies, the PDP insists that INEC, within the stipulated period outlined in the Constitution, conducts fresh elections to fill these empty seats.
Additionally, the party warns the former lawmakers against presenting themselves as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, cautioning that such actions could lead to impersonation and severe legal consequences.
Finally, the PDP applauds the people of Rivers State for their unwavering commitment to democracy and the rule of law during this period.