In a formal proposal, the National Working Committee of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to hold fresh elections in each of the 25 state constituencies in Rivers State.
Nigerian Tribune reports that this action came after 25 former PDP members from the Rivers State House of Assembly defected to the All Progressive Congress (APC), claiming internal PDP conflicts as their cause.
The NWC, during its 580th meeting in Abuja, chaired by acting national chairman Umar Damagum, emphasized that, based on Section 109 (1)(g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), the actions of the 25 lawmakers had led to the automatic vacation of their seats.
The party, represented by national publicity secretary Debo Ologunagba, issued a statement titled “Resolution of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the Defection of 25 Now Former Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.”
In the resolution, they communicated with INEC about the vacant positions in the Rivers State House of Assembly and officially demanded that INEC conduct fresh elections within the constitutionally stipulated timeframe.
The National Legal Adviser was also directed to initiate appropriate legal actions concerning the declaration of the seats of the defected members as vacant, ensuring adherence to the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).
Furthermore, the PDP expressed its commitment to taking all necessary democratic steps to safeguard the votes and mandates of the people in the 25 state constituencies of Rivers State, preventing any unauthorized appropriation of these rights.
