Rivers Defections: Conduct Bye-Elections to Fill 27 Vacant Position – Group Tells INEC

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct by-elections to fill the 27 vacant seats in the Rivers State House of Assembly.

This happened as a result of 27 lawmakers leaving the Peoples Democracy Party (PDP) to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).

At a press conference yesterday, NDC leader Daniel Okwa declared that fresh elections are necessary since the 27 members had forfeited their state legislature seats under the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s Constitution.

Quoting from the Constitution, Okwa stated: ” A member of a House of Assembly shall vacate his seat in the House if – being a person whose election to the House of Assembly was sponsored by a political party, he becomes a member of another political party before the expiration of the period for which that House was elected”.

He added: “The 27 controversial lawmakers must simply comply with the position of the law by vacating the Rivers State House of Assembly having breached Section 109 (g) of the Constitution that brought them into office. Under the law, these lawmakers cease to be elected representatives of the people and their offices must be declared vacant.

“We find it most unfortunate that the 27 former Rivers State House of Assembly members were misinformed and misled into defecting from the PDP to the APC without realizing that their action effectively means they have vacated their seats as elected lawmakers. It is an action that they have themselves to blame for.

“Had they properly consulted instead of taking orders from someone who has secured himself a long-term political meal ticket, they would not be in the current sorry pass where they will now have to take part in bye-elections, assuming they can clinch tickets in their new political party.

“It is on this note that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) notes with concern that what is playing out in Rivers State portends multiple levels of evil for democracy in Nigeria.”