The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has firmly stated that it will not waver in its stance regarding the vacation of seats by former members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who switched allegiance from the party to the All Progressives Congress, APC.
The opposition party emphasized that it was not facing any external pressure to alter its position in court, reiterating that the lawmakers ceased to be part of the Rivers State House of Assembly since December 11, 2023.
On that specific date, a total of 27 lawmakers publicly announced their defection from the PDP to the APC, prompting the PDP to assert its position unequivocally.
The party’s response was prompted by rumors circulating on social media suggesting attempts to sway the PDP’s stance and offer a lifeline for the lawmakers to reclaim their seats.
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The PDP, through its National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, emphasized that the affected members had violated the constitution by defecting and had consequently forfeited their positions in the state assembly.
The party’s National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, SAN, further reinforced this position in a Counter Claim filed at the Federal High Court Abuja, emphasizing that the former lawmakers officially ceased to be part of the Rivers State House of Assembly upon their defection to the APC.
The PDP also highlighted that numerous judicial rulings from the country’s highest court supported its stance, solidifying its position on the matter.
