Rivers crisis: Damagun calls on INEC to replace Pro-Wike law makers

The Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagun, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to organize a bye-election to replace Rivers State lawmakers who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Damagun made this request in a letter dated November 13, 2024, which was presented by the spokesperson of the Opposition Lawmakers Coalition, Ikenga Ugochinyere, during a press conference in Akokwa, Imo State.

The letter, titled Demand for Immediate Conduct of Fresh Election in 27 State Constituencies of Rivers State Which Have Become Vacant Pursuant to Section 109(1)(g) of the Constitution, highlighted the alleged “unlawful” defection of 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly on December 11, 2023. According to the PDP, the defecting lawmakers have vacated their seats by operation of the law, as their actions contravene Section 109(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The letter explained that the PDP had duly nominated candidates for all 32 State House of Assembly seats in Rivers State during the 2023 general elections, with the party emerging victorious in all constituencies. The elected members were inaugurated in June 2023. However, six months later, 27 members defected to the APC without any lawful grounds, such as division or merger within the PDP, which would have justified their defection under constitutional provisions.

The acting PDP chairman urged INEC to fulfill its constitutional responsibilities by initiating the process for fresh elections to fill the vacant seats created by this act. The letter further emphasized that the defections were a violation of the constitution and left no legal basis for the lawmakers to retain their seats.

In his communication, Damagun attached evidence of the PDP’s nomination of the affected lawmakers, the election results, and the list of constituencies involved. He reiterated the PDP’s commitment to upholding democratic principles and called on INEC to take swift action to preserve the integrity of the legislative process. The letter concluded with an appeal to INEC to act promptly and assurances of the PDP’s continued dedication to deepening democracy in Nigeria.