Reported by: Ime Richard Aondofa | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has issued a strong statement condemning the recent defections of several members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, describing their actions as a repeat of prior defections and labeling them as detrimental to democratic governance.
In a statement signed by Comrade Ini Ememobong, National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, the party noted that the legislators in question had previously announced their defection from the party but later recanted. The party described the repeated switch as evidence that the members were acting under the influence of external sponsors and characterized them as political puppets undermining the legislative process.
“The members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have, by their actions since assuming office, demonstrated that they are a clog in the wheels of democratic progress,” the statement said. “They will go down in history as enemies of democracy who have made a mockery of the legislature.”
The PDP dismissed the move as effectively “a defection from APC to APC,” highlighting the party’s position that these lawmakers have betrayed the mandate entrusted to them by their constituents under the PDP platform. In response, the party announced plans to pursue legal avenues to reclaim the seats, invoking provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) regarding the recovery of mandates gained under a political party.
The statement further called on all PDP members in Rivers State to remain committed and resilient, assuring that ongoing efforts to rebuild the party would focus on inclusiveness, fairness, and equity.
Stone Reporters’ Observation: Defections in Nigeria’s political landscape have often triggered legal battles and intense public debate, with courts frequently called upon to interpret constitutional provisions on party loyalty and legislative mandates. The PDP’s swift response underscores the high stakes involved in party defections and reflects the broader struggle among Nigeria’s major political parties to retain influence at state legislative levels.
The PDP’s declaration signals both a legal and political strategy aimed at curbing perceived opportunistic behavior by legislators and restoring the party’s authority in Rivers State, a critical stronghold in the South-South region.
In conclusion, the unfolding situation highlights ongoing challenges in Nigerian politics where party loyalty, political patronage, and the management of legislative mandates intersect. The PDP’s commitment to legal recourse and party rebuilding may set the stage for a protracted political contest in Rivers State, with significant implications for the state’s political stability and democratic governance.
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