The political landscape in Rivers State is witnessing a seismic shift as the House of Assembly recently took a decisive move to declare vacant the seats of 25 members who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The motion, which gained unanimous support during Wednesday’s plenary, was led by Edison Ehie, representing PDP-Ahoada 11 constituency.
Addressing the assembly, Mr Ehie acknowledged the constitutional right of members to freedom of association, emphasizing the delicate balance between individual rights and legislative allegiance. He revealed that the house had received formal notices and correspondences, including newspaper publications, from the defectors, prompting the assembly to scrutinize the constitutional implications of their actions.
“While we respect that constitutional right, we are also mindful as a legislative assembly of our allegiance to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, and our oaths of office to defend the Constitution, which is our guide,” stated Mr Ehie.
Highlighting the constitutional breach, he pointed out that members can only defect to another party if there is a division or crisis in the parent party, citing Section 109, sub 1, paragraph G of the Constitution. However, he asserted that the PDP, the party from which the members defected, remains united without any internal crisis or division.
The motion to declare the seats vacant hinges on the argument that the actions of the defected members constitute a gross violation of the constitution.
Mr Ehie stressed the intact state party structure of the PDP, underscoring the undivided national leadership and a functional committee led by the state party chairman, Chukwu Emeka.
Source: Peoples Gazette