PDP demands fresh elections for 25 Rivers lawmakers who defected to APC

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a firm stance regarding the 25 Rivers State House of Assembly members who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) under the leadership of former Governor Nyesom Wike.

The party has now declared that the only legitimate course of action for the defected lawmakers, who have yet to vacate their seats, is to seek re-election.

The 25 lawmakers, who controversially switched allegiance to the opposition ahead of the 2023 elections, have been accused of breaching the Nigerian constitution.

Their defection has ignited political tension in Rivers State, with calls from various stakeholders urging the immediate declaration of their seats as vacant.

During a press conference, PDP’s Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagun, emphasized that under the Nigerian constitution, lawmakers who defect from the party that sponsored their election are legally required to vacate their seats.

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“The 25 Rivers Assembly members who defected to the APC should have vacated their seats long ago, as mandated by the Nigerian constitution. Since they have failed to do so, it is now clear that the only lawful step remaining for them is to recontest their seats in another election,” Damagun stated.

He further criticized the defected lawmakers for betraying the trust of their constituents and disrupting political harmony in the state. Describing their defection as a power grab, he argued that it showed disregard for the electorate’s mandate.

This shift in PDP’s position follows growing pressure from party supporters and other political stakeholders, who have condemned the defection of Wike’s allies.

The PDP has vowed to continue pushing for the removal of these lawmakers, arguing that they no longer represent the wishes of their constituents.

The APC, however, maintains that the defectors have a constitutional right to join any political party of their choice and has vowed to contest any legal action taken against them in court.

As the political crisis unfolds, attention is now focused on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to determine the next steps.

The PDP’s stance has reignited debates on the legality of cross-carpeting among elected officials and whether stricter measures should be implemented to prevent the instability such actions cause.

With the 2027 general elections approaching, political analysts predict that the outcome of this defection saga could significantly influence the state’s political landscape and future election results.