PDP Acting Chairman Demands Bye-Election to Replace 27 Rivers Lawmakers Who Defected to APC

The Acting Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagum, has written to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), demanding a bye-election to replace 27 Rivers lawmakers who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In the letter, Damagum argued that the defection of the lawmakers is a gross violation of Section 109(1)(g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As amended). He emphasized that the only two grounds of division and merger provided for in the Constitution that permit such defection are completely non-existent in the PDP.

“The defection of the 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly from the PDP to the APC is a clear breach of the provisions of Section 109(1)(g) of the Constitution,” Damagum stated. “The only two grounds of division and merger provided for in the Constitution that permit such defection are completely non-existent in the PDP.”

Damagum’s letter to INEC emphasized that the defections of the 27 members are without lawful excuse, and these members have vacated their seats in the Rivers State House of Assembly by the operations of Section 109(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution.

“The PDP is, therefore, compelled to request INEC to perform its constitutional duties and begin the process of conducting a fresh election to fill the vacancies created in the 27 State Constituencies by the unlawful act of the Assembly members,” Damagum wrote.

INEC’s Response

When contacted, INEC’s National Commissioner for Information and Voter Education, Festus Okoye, confirmed that the commission had received the letter from the PDP. Okoye stated that INEC would study the letter and take necessary action in accordance with the law.

“We have received the letter from the PDP, and we will study it and take necessary action in accordance with the law,” Okoye said.

Reaction from the APC

The APC has reacted to the PDP’s demand for a bye-election, describing it as a “desperate attempt” to regain control of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

“The PDP’s demand for a bye-election is a desperate attempt to regain control of the Rivers State House of Assembly,” said APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka. “The defection of the 27 lawmakers from the PDP to the APC is a clear indication of the PDP’s loss of popularity in Rivers State.”

The APC also accused the PDP of trying to use the courts to scuttle the defection of the lawmakers, describing it as “undemocratic”.

“The PDP’s attempt to use the courts to scuttle the defection of the lawmakers is undemocratic and a clear indication of their desperation to cling to power,” Morka said.