PDP’s Damagun makes a dramatic U-turn, demanding INEC declare 27 pro-Wike Rivers lawmakers’ seats vacant following their controversial defection to APC.
The ongoing political face-off between former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, has escalated into a full-blown crisis, with the Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagun, demanding fresh elections to replace 27 defected pro-Wike lawmakers.
In a dramatic turn, Damagun, whose allegiance has seemingly shifted amid the power tussle, urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare the seats of the lawmakers vacant. This demand follows their controversial defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in December 2023, a move PDP claims violates constitutional provisions.
The decamping lawmakers, known for their allegiance to Wike, are accused of breaching Section 109(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution, which mandates vacating seats upon defection without justifiable grounds such as party merger or division. Despite initially defending their actions as politically necessary, the legislators have since downplayed their defection, adding another layer of intrigue to the unfolding saga.
The PDP, in its letter dated November 13, 2024, demanded immediate by-elections to fill the “vacant” seats. Signed by Damagun, the letter highlighted the alleged constitutional breaches and accused INEC of failing to act swiftly.
“The defection of these lawmakers six months after inauguration is a gross violation of the constitution. Their seats are effectively vacant, and we demand fresh elections to restore democratic balance in Rivers State,” the letter stated.
The Rivers political crisis underscores the growing rift between Wike, now a federal powerbroker in APC, and his estranged protégé, Governor Fubara. Once allies, their relationship soured following Wike’s perceived interference in Fubara’s administration.
The defection of the 27 lawmakers, seen as Wike’s attempt to consolidate influence, has not only destabilized the Rivers State Assembly but also intensified the PDP’s internal battles. Observers argue that Damagun’s U-turn may be part of a larger strategy by the PDP leadership to reclaim its political stronghold.
As the crisis unfolds, all eyes are on INEC’s response. Will the Commission heed PDP’s demand for fresh elections or await judicial intervention? The outcome could redefine the political landscape in Rivers State and beyond.
