Peoples Democratic Party asks INEC to declare seats of four defectors vacant

 

The Kaduna State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare vacant the seats of three members of the State House of Assembly and one member of the House of Representatives who recently defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The party described the lawmakers’ defection as a betrayal of the trust placed in them by the electorate and an unconstitutional act that must not go unchallenged.

 

In a statement signed by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Maria Dogo, the PDP condemned the defections and demanded that the lawmakers immediately vacate their seats. The party cited Sections 68(1)(g) and 109 of the Constitution, which stipulate that any serving legislator who defects to another party must relinquish their position. It also urged the Speakers of both the House of Representatives and the Kaduna State House of Assembly to take immediate action by declaring the seats vacant and notifying INEC to conduct bye-elections.

“While we acknowledge the constitutional rights of every Nigerian to freedom of association, we view these defections as unacceptable,” the statement read.

The PDP assured its supporters and constituents of the affected lawmakers that it would invoke constitutional provisions to reclaim the mandates, emphasizing that there was no division within the party leadership at the national level to justify the defections. Despite the recent developments, the party reiterated its confidence in its strength and popularity, maintaining that it remains the preferred choice of the majority of Kaduna State residents.