The ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP is fuming over the defection of 37 members of House of Representatives elected on its platform to the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC on Wednesday and is threatening to invoke the relevant section of the Constitution to deal with the lawmakers.
“The defection, if confirmed to be true is treacherous and a huge betrayal not only of the PDP but millions of voters who worked timelessly hard for their election on the platform of the PDP in their respective Constituencies, Olisa Metuh , national publicity secretary said in statement issued in reaction to reports of the defection early in the day.“
“”As Lawmakers, the defectors must no doubt be aware of provisions of section 68 (1) (g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) which clearly states conditions upon which a member of the Legislature will change platforms.The section stipulated that a lawmaker who defected to another party will lose his seat, except he or she is able to prove that his former party has been factionalised.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Courts of our land have declared that the PDP is ONE and not bedevilled by any factions. Any member of the National or State Assemblies who therefore renounces his membership of a UNITED PDP must be ready to face the consequences of defection in line with provisions of the Constitution.
“The PDP condemns what is fast unfolding as a desperate attempt by selfish politicians to cause confusion in our body polity. We wish to assure all our members and supporters nationwide that the PDP remains unshaken by the departure of Fifth Columnists. We shall undoubtedly emerge stronger and more cohesive after these events.
Thirty seven members of of House of Representatives members had on Thursday signified that they are defecting from PDP to APC in a letter read on the floor of the lower chamber by the Speaker, Honourable Aminu Tambuwal.The lawmakers said they are doing so because of the division and factionalisationin within the PDP in tandem with section 68 subsections 1(G) of the constitution.. The lawmakers are mostly representatives from Adamawa, Kano, Bauchi, Kwara, Rivers and Katsina States. The Governors of the home states of the lawmakers had earlier also defected from PDP to APC.PDP however said it is pleased to note that despite the purported defection of some members, it still maintains a comfortable majority in the House of Representatives.
Source: PMNews
