The Kaduna State Chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) called on the Independent National Election Commission (INEC) to declare vacant seats for three state legislators and a member of the House who recently defected to rule all Progressive Congress (APC). The party describes the defection of lawmakers as voters’ betrayal of trust, and an unconstitutional act must not be challenged.
The PDP condemned the defectors in a statement signed by the party’s propaganda minister Maria Dogo and asked lawmakers to evacuate the seat immediately. The Party cites Articles 68(1)(g) and 109 of the Constitution, which states that any service legislator who defects to the other party must abandon his position. It also urged House members and spokespersons of Kaduna State Capitol to take immediate action, announce the vacancy and notify INEC for remediation.
“While we recognize every Nigerian’s constitutional right to freedom of association, we believe these defections are unacceptable,” the statement said.
The PDP guarantees supporters and components of affected legislators, which will invoke constitutional provisions to regain the mandate, stressing that the party leadership at the national level is not divided to justify the violation. Despite recent progress, the party reiterated its confidence in strength and popularity and insisted that it remains the top choice for most Kaduna residents.
