Abia PDP Losses Ground! Suspended Lawmaker Defects To Labour Party, Gives Reasons

Hon. Dennis Rowland Caesar, the representative for Isiala Ngwa South State Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Labour Party (LP).

Caesar’s defection follows his recent suspension by his ward chapter over alleged anti-party activities.

The lawmaker, who had publicly supported Governor Alex Otti’s re-election bid, made the announcement during a plenary session in Umuahia. He explained that his decision was driven by the governor’s impressive achievements within a short time, stating that he could no longer remain in the PDP.

In response, the Abia State PDP declared that Caesar had lost his legislative seat and urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a by-election.

The party, in a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Eric Iwuagwu, cited Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which mandates that lawmakers who defect without a division within their original party must vacate their seats.

“The seat and mandate belong to the PDP. Hon. Caesar’s continued occupation of his seat is unconstitutional. We are formally petitioning INEC to declare his seat vacant and initiate the process for a by-election,” Iwuagwu said.

The PDP further pledged to take legal action to ensure the enforcement of the constitutional requirement for defecting lawmakers to vacate their positions.