The Abia State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the decision of Rowland Dennis Chinwendu, the member representing Isiala Ngwa South constituency, to leave the party and join the Labour Party (LP).
Truth Live News reports that Chinwendu’s defection was announced on the floor of the Abia State House of Assembly on Tuesday.
The PDP, describing Chinwendu’s defection as unethical and unconstitutional, cited Section 68(1)(g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) to butress its position.
According to the section, “any member of a legislative house who defects from the party on whose platform they were elected must vacate their seat unless there is a clear division or merger in the original party.”
The party has stated that it will immediately write to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare the lawmaker’s seat vacant without delay.
In addition, the PDP vowed to institute immediate legal proceedings to ensure that constitutional provisions protecting the integrity of the democratic system are upheld.