Monday, February 17, 2025 - 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 three members of the State House of Assembly and one member of the House of Representatives who recently defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The party described the lawmakers’ defection as a betrayal of the trust placed in them by the electorate and an unconstitutional act that must not go unchallenged.
In a statement signed by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Maria Dogo,
the PDP condemned the defections and demanded that the lawmakers immediately
vacate their seats. The party cited Sections 68(1)(g) and 109 of the
Constitution, which stipulate that any serving legislator who defects to
another party must relinquish their position. 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.
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.
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