PDP Demands Fresh Elections For Vacant Seats In Rivers State Assembly

PDP Demands Fresh Elections For Vacant Seats In Rivers State AssemblyThe Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagun, has formally urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a bye-election for the 27 vacant seats in the Rivers State House of Assembly, following the defection of the lawmakers to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Damagun made this request in a letter dated November 13, 2024, addressed to INEC.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The letter, titled “DEMAND FOR IMMEDIATE CONDUCT OF FRESH ELECTION IN 27 STATE CONSTITUENCIES OF RIVERS STATE WHICH HAVE BECOME VACANT PURSUANT TO SECTION 109(1)(g) OF THE CONSTITUTION”, was shared with the public by Ikenga Ugochinyere, the spokesperson for the Opposition Lawmakers Coalition, during a press conference in Akokwa, Imo State, on Sunday.

In his letter, Damagun strongly condemned the mass defection of the 27 Rivers State lawmakers from the PDP to the APC on December 11, 2023, labeling the move as illegal. He referenced Section 109(1)(g) of the Nigerian Constitution, which states that such defections automatically result in the vacating of their seats in the legislature.

Damagun emphasized that the defectors were no longer valid members of the Assembly and called on INEC to fulfill its constitutional obligation by organizing new elections to fill the seats left vacant by the defections. He stressed that the defection was without constitutional grounds, as there was no internal crisis or division within the PDP that could justify such an action.

The PDP Chairman also reminded INEC that the party had nominated candidates for the 2023 Rivers State House of Assembly elections, securing 32 seats. However, just six months after their inauguration in June 2023, 27 of those lawmakers publicly switched allegiance to the APC.

Damagun’s letter read in part:

“The Leadership of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) wishes to draw the attention of the Commission to the gross violation of Section 109(1)(g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) by 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly following their unlawful defection from our Party, the PDP, who sponsored their elections to the All Progressive Congress (APC) on Monday, December 11, 2023.”

He also pointed out that these defections occurred just six months after the lawmakers were sworn into office, making their actions a clear violation of constitutional provisions. According to Damagun, the defections were without lawful cause, as no division or merger, as defined by the Constitution, occurred within the PDP to justify the lawmakers’ departure.

In conclusion, Damagun reiterated his demand for INEC to begin the process of organizing a fresh election to fill the 27 vacant constituencies in the Rivers State House of Assembly. He expressed appreciation for INEC’s commitment to strengthening democracy in Nigeria and called for swift action to address the issue.

The letter also included a list of the 27 defected lawmakers and their respective constituencies.

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