The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) maintained that the 26 Rivers House of Assembly lawmakers who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) were no longer recognized as members of the state legislature.
PDP’s National Legal Adviser, Adeyemi Ajibade (SAN), reiterated this stance to reporters following a court adjournment until January 24, 2024.
Ajibade emphasized the party’s adherence to constitutional guidelines regarding defection, despite any involvement from President Bola Tinubu in the dispute between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
He said: “PDP as a party; we are standing on the side of the constitution of the country. It is not about issues of an agreement but by the Constitution, we all sworn to uphold.
“The governor himself swore to uphold the constitution likewise the President.
“I am not against the president calling for the resolution of the matter. He is the chief security officer of this country and he has every right to intervene in the issue.
“But besides that, we, as a political party; the PDP owns those seats and certainly we are interested in those seats.
“Whatever the governor is doing in this matter, no resolution has been brought to Wadata Plaza on this matter.
“However, as a political party, we cannot leave the seats and the votes willingly given to the party by people of Rivers State.”
The senior lawyer highlighted that besides this, the nation’s constitution is explicit; Section 109 (1g) specifically addresses matters of defection. He pointed out that the Rivers lawmakers in question had not contested their defection.
“Even if you pick the writ of summon that was filed before this court, they said they actually defected.
“So they are only stating while they defected; that they have the right to defect based on the reasons given by them.
“So it is not an issue as to whether there was a defection or not. And we cannot fold our hands. So we have to go to recover our seats,” he said.
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