THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has insisted that the 27 lawmakers of the Rivers State House of Assembly who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) have lost their seats.
The PDP, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Debo Ologunagba, in Abuja said the clarification became necessary following a social media report claiming that there were plots to compromise the party’s position by restoring the defected lawmakers to their seats.
He stated: “Our party, therefore, stands by its position that the affected members have since lost their seats in the Rivers State House of Assembly, having committed an unpardonable constitutional breach.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the PDP, in its counter-claim by its National Legal Adviser, Mr. Kamaldeen Ajibade, in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1681/2023, filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, stated clearly:
“That the former Rivers State lawmakers ‘are no longer members of the Rivers State House of Assembly from December 11, 2023, when they publicly announced their defection from the PDP to the APC.
“For emphasis, the PDP, in the said suit, seeks, among others, the following Declaration/Orders against the former Rivers State lawmakers:
“A declaration that by provisions of Section 109 (1)(g) of the Constitution of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), the seats of the plaintiffs have been vacant since December 11, 2023 when the plaintiffs announced their defection to the APC.
“A declaration that the plaintiffs are no longer members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, having defected to the APC on December 11, 2023.
“An order directing the first defendant (INEC) to conduct by-election in the respective constituencies of the plaintiffs, in compliance with the provisions of the laws.
“An Order of perpetual injunction restraining the plaintiffs from parading themselves and/or further parading themselves or from performing or further performing the functions and duties of members of Rivers House of Assembly.”
