PDP request Inec to conduct bye election in 27 state constituencies in rivers state to replace pro-wike lawmakers.

By Divine Sam

In a significant move by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), its Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagun, has formally requested the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to organize bye-elections for 27 state constituencies in Rivers State. This follows the defection of 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in December 2023.

Damagun’s request, contained in a letter dated November 13, 2024, draws attention to what the PDP deems an unlawful defection, violating Section 109(1)(g) of the Nigerian Constitution. The PDP argues that, under the Constitution, the lawmakers have forfeited their seats due to the defection, as there were no legal grounds for such a move.

The letter emphasizes the need for INEC to act according to its constitutional responsibilities and conduct fresh elections to fill the vacancies in these 27 constituencies, which were created by the defections. The PDP’s stance is that the defections were made without legal justification, as there was no division or merger in the party, which are the only constitutionally acceptable reasons for defection.