INEC told to conduct fresh election as 25 pro-Wike lawmakers defect to APC

The national working committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday, December 13, 2023, said it thoroughly reviewed the state of the party in Rivers state.

Legit.ng learnt that the review was conducted during the PDP’s 580th meeting, and it focused on the defection of 25 members of the Rivers State House of assembly. Recall the state legislators exited the PDP to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a statement signed by Debo Ologunagba, the PDP spokesperson, obtained by Legit.ng, the party asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to void the election of the concerned lawmakers and conduct fresh polls.

The PDP’s resolution reads: “That the party communicates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by formally informing the commission of the vacancies in the Rivers State House of Assembly as a result of the defection of the 25 now former members, who under Section 109 (1)(g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) vacated their seats by their action.

“That the party officially demand that INEC should within the constitutionally stipulated time, conduct fresh election in the 25 state constituencies in Rivers state where vacancies now exist in the Rivers state house of assembly as a result of the defection of the 25 now former members.

“Direct the national legal adviser to commence appropriate legal action concerning the declaration of the seats of the 25 defected former members vacant and the conduct of fresh election into the 25 state constituencies in Rivers state following the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).

“That the PDP will take every step necessary and available in a democracy to ensure that the votes and mandate of the people of the 25 state constituencies in Rivers state are protected and not appropriated under any circumstance whatsoever.”