The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has given the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) a 14-day ultimatum to conduct bye-elections for the 27 vacant constituencies in the Rivers State House of Assembly. This development follows the mass defection of 27 lawmakers from the People’s Democracy Party to the All Progressives Congress.
Addressing the press on Tuesday, Daniel Okwa, the group’s convener, expressed concern about the potential threats to democracy arising from recent events in Rivers State. Okwa cited the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, stating that the 27 lawmakers have forfeited their seats at the state assembly due to their defection, necessitating a fresh election.
Quoting the relevant constitutional provision, Okwa asserted, “A member of a House of Assembly shall vacate his seat in the House if, being a person whose election to the House of Assembly was sponsored by a political party, he becomes a member of another political party before the expiration of the period for which that House was elected.”
He criticized the former lawmakers for not consulting and for defecting without realizing the legal consequences. Okwa emphasized that their actions, breaching Section 109 (g) of the Constitution, render them ineligible to hold their positions.
The NDC expressed concern about the potential impact on democracy, cautioning against the descent into a one-party state and predicting similar incidents in other states if corrective measures are not taken promptly.
The group raised concerns about the potential undermining of the judiciary, referencing past Supreme Court decisions on lawmakers defecting to parties that did not sponsor them. They called on President Bola Tinubu to condemn the actions, urging him to dissociate from the political maneuvering in Rivers State.
The NDC warned that failure by INEC to comply with the law within the stipulated timeframe would lead to citizen actions against the electoral body. They called for a clear denunciation of the alleged “criminality” by President Tinubu, emphasizing the need for adherence to democratic principles and the rule of law.
