The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) reiterated on Thursday that the 26 lawmakers from the Rivers House of Assembly, who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), are no longer recognized as members of the state legislature.
PDP’s National Legal Adviser, Adeyemi Ajibade, SAN, emphasized this stance after the adjournment of the lawmakers’ suit by Justice Donatus Okorowo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, until January 24, 2024.
Ajibade, addressing the involvement of President Bola Tinubu in the dispute between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, maintained the party’s commitment to the constitutional provisions regarding defection.
He stated, “PDP as a party, we are standing on the side of the constitution of the country. It is not about issues of an agreement because by the constitution, we all sworn to uphold. The governor himself sworn to uphold the constitution likewise the president.”
Ajibade added, “I am not against the president calling for the resolution of the matter. He is the chief security officer of this country and he has every right to intervene in the issue.”
The senior lawyer highlighted Section 109 (1g) of the constitution, asserting that the affected lawmakers had not denied their defection.
