Rivers Assembly Crisis: “Pro-Wike Lawmakers' Seats Remain Vacant,” PDP Shares Why

• Rivers lawmakers backed by the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike have landed in serious trouble as the PDP takes a stance on their defection
• The ruling party in Rivers state insisted that the lawmakers have lost their seats following their defection to the APC
• Debo Ologunagba, PDP spokesperson, confirmed the party's position through a statement made available to journalists

Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.

FCT, Abuja - The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has again maintained its stance on the Rivers state House of Assembly members who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Fate of Rivers lawmakers backed by Wike

The ruling party in Rivers state insisted that the 27 lawmakers supported by the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), have since lost their seats for arrogantly committing an unpardonable constitutional breach.

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In a statement issued on Thursday, May 16, Debo Ologunagba, PDP spokesperson, said the clarification is a rebuttal to a “mischievous report” that the party is considering changing its position.

In the statement shared on the PDP's X page and sighted by Legit.ng, Ologunagba said the social media report “falsely” claimed that “there are plots to compromise the party’s position and provide an unattainable lifeline” to the former members of the Rivers state House of Assembly who dumped the PDP.

The statement read:

“The Party also clarifies that it is not under pressure from any quarters to compromise its position in court, wherein it had already clearly stated that the former Rivers state lawmakers are no longer members of the Rivers State House of Assembly from December 11, 2023, when they publicly announced their defection from the PDP to the APC,” the statement reads.

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“Our party therefore stands by its position that the affected members have since lost their seats in the Rivers State House of Assembly having arrogantly committed an unpardonable constitutional breach."

According to the party, the seats of the plaintiffs have been vacant since December 11, 2023, when they announced their defection to the APC.

Have Rivers lawmakers who decamped lost their seats?

Similarly, Legit.ng reported that Femi Falana explained that the Nigerian constitution does not allow lawmakers to change political parties while in office.

He asserted that all the 25 legislators in Rivers who switched from the PDP to the APC have essentially forfeited their position.

Falana analysed the legal implications of the actions of the Rivers House of Assembly members.

Proofreading by Nkem Ikeke, journalist and copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng