Defection: “Your seats are now Vacant” — PDP tells 27 Rivers Lawmakers

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct fresh elections in the 27 state constituencies in Rivers State where lawmakers recently defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a press statement issued on Monday by Hon. Debo Ologunagba, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, the PDP argued that the defected lawmakers have automatically vacated their seats as stipulated in Section 109 (1) (g) of the Nigerian Constitution, which states that a member of a House of Assembly loses their seat if they join another political party before the expiration of their term.

“The seats of the 27 former lawmakers have become vacant by virtue of the provision of the Constitution,” the statement said. “Therefore, we demand that the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly immediately declare these seats vacant and that INEC conduct fresh elections to fill the vacancies.”

The PDP also cautioned the former lawmakers against “parading themselves as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly,” warning that doing so “would amount to impersonation with serious criminal consequences.”

Also Read: Rivers State House of Assembly members (Full List)

The party further commended the people of Rivers State for their “steadfastness and loyalty to democracy and rule of law,” especially during this period of political uncertainty.