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 four lawmakers who recently defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Three members of the State House of Assembly and one member of the House of Representatives recently defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a statement signed by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Maria Dogo, the PDP condemned the defections, calling them a betrayal of the electorate’s trust and an unconstitutional act. The party cited Sections 68(1)(g) and 109 of the Nigerian Constitution, which mandate that any legislator who defects to another party must vacate their seat.
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.Nigerian home decor ideas
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.