Politics
PDP demands resignation of Lawmakers who defected to APC
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on its former lawmakers in the House of Representatives and the Kaduna State House of Assembly to vacate their seats following their defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The lawmakers, primarily from Southern Kaduna, were among 50 politicians who officially joined the APC on Saturday. Governor Uba Sani received them at a stakeholders’ meeting in Murtala Square, Kaduna, alongside former Governor Ramalan Yero and former Senator Danjuma La’ah.
In a statement issued on Sunday, PDP’s Kaduna State Publicity Secretary, Maria Dogo, condemned the defections, describing them as a betrayal of the people’s trust.
She emphasized that while the Nigerian Constitution grants freedom of association, elected lawmakers who switch parties must relinquish their seats unless their original party is experiencing internal division.
“According to Sections 68(1)(g) and 109 of the Constitution, serving legislators who defect to another party must vacate their seats,” Dogo stated.
The PDP urged the Speakers of the House of Representatives and the Kaduna State House of Assembly to declare the defectors’ seats vacant and notify the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct bye-elections.
The party dismissed the defections as politically motivated, alleging that some defectors were merely seeking automatic tickets for the 2026 elections after failing in the PDP’s zoning arrangements or losing in the 2022 primaries.
Dogo further accused the APC-led government of misplacing priorities, criticizing Governor Sani’s administration for organizing elaborate receptions for defectors instead of addressing governance issues.
“Our people are yearning for a return to the PDP years when the economy thrived and citizens could afford their basic needs. Therefore, no amount of defections can save the APC-led government from its imminent exit in 2027,” she stated.
Despite the setback, the PDP reaffirmed its strength and commitment to democracy, assuring its supporters that it remains the preferred choice of Kaduna residents.
The party, under the leadership of its state chairman, Edward Masha, vowed to take all necessary legal and constitutional steps to reclaim its mandates.
Chairman, Policy Manifesto Committee of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, John Odigie-Oyegun, says former president Muhammadu Buhari gave him the shock of his life, six months into his administration as Nigeria’s leader.
Oyegun made this disclosure on Friday when he featured in an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Prime Time’.
He revealed that as National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, he went to tell Buhari that he was not delivering his election promises to Nigerians but that the late president told him he would not rule with strictness, but rather wanted to show Nigerians that he is a true civilian president.
The former APC National Chairman lamented that it became business as usual, from there.
“I was national chairman of the APC. Six months or less into our assuming office, fairly alarmed, I went to the late President Buhari for a one-on-one talk. I said Mr President, this is not what the people were expecting. They wanted a bit of the old president Buhari.
“And he explained to me, Mr Chairman, I have learned my lesson. I was shocked. And don’t forget at that time, a lot of prominent Nigerians took their holidays abroad, just to be sure and see what this new sheriff in town will be.
“Buhari told me he wants to now show the people that he’s a true civilian president in Agbada. And by the time we finished the conversation, I said Oh God, we are finished. Because, if he’s not ready to be strict, what’s the point?
“Weeks later, months later, years later, I was proven correct. And of course, it became business as usual, only that they are a new set of tenants in Aso Rock. That was a shocker,” he said.
Former lawmaker, Dino Melaye Esq, has raised concerns over the Senate’s reported rejection of the electronic transmission of election results.
The move, according to Melaye, is a clear endorsement of election rigging and an indication of a sinister plan to rig the 2027 elections.
In a statement on Friday, the former lawmaker criticized the Senate’s decision, stating that it undermines the credibility of the electoral process.
The African Democratic Congress, ADC chieftain, also stated that the move opens the door for electoral manipulation and fraud.
He further warned that the rejection of electronic transmission of results is a step backwards for democracy in Nigeria.
Melaye called on lawmakers and citizens to stand up against “this blatant attempt to undermine the will of the people and ensure that future elections are free, fair, and transparent”.
Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, has said Nigerians have every reason to be mad at the Senate over the ongoing debate on e-transmission of election results.
Ezekwesili made this known on Friday when she featured in an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Morning Show’ monitored by DAILY POST.
DAILY POST reports that the Senate on Wednesday turned down a proposed change to Clause 60, Subsection 3, of the Electoral Amendment Bill that aimed to compel the electronic transmission of election results.
Reacting to the matter, Ezekwesili said, “The fundamental issue with the review of the Electoral Act is that the Senate retained the INEC 2022 Act, Section 60 Sub 5.
“This section became infamous for the loophole it provided INEC, causing Nigerians to lose trust. Since the law established that it wasn’t mandatory for INEC to transmit electoral results in real-time, there wasn’t much anyone could say.
“Citizens embraced the opportunity to reform the INEC Act, aiming to address ambiguity and discretionary opportunities for INEC. Yet, the Senate handled it with a “let sleeping dogs lie” approach. The citizens have every reason to be as outraged as they currently are.”
How Buhari shocked me 6 months into his administration – Oyegun
Gunmen k!ll President General of Ogidi community and one other in Anambra.
Police bust syndicate behind nude photo blackmail in Lagos
-
Business1 year ago
US court acquits Air Peace boss, slams Mayfield $4000 fine
-
Trending1 year agoNYA demands release of ‘abducted’ Imo chairman, preaches good governance
-
Politics1 year agoMexico’s new president causes concern just weeks before the US elections
-
Politics1 year agoPutin invites 20 world leaders
-
Politics1 year agoRussia bans imports of agro-products from Kazakhstan after refusal to join BRICS
-
Entertainment1 year ago
Bobrisky falls ill in police custody, rushed to hospital
-
Entertainment1 year ago
Bobrisky transferred from Immigration to FCID, spends night behind bars
-
Education1 year ago
GOVERNOR FUBARA APPOINTS COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR KEN SARO-WIWA POLYTECHNIC BORI