The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has declared it will not alter its stance on the vacation of seats by former members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a statement, the main opposition party emphasized it was not under any pressure to compromise its position in court.
The PDP reiterated that the lawmakers ceased to be members of the Rivers State House of Assembly as of December 11, 2023, the date they publicly announced their defection.
The party’s statement follows reports on social media suggesting there were attempts to undermine the PDP’s stance and provide a way for the defected lawmakers to return to their seats.
“Our party stands by its position that the affected members have since lost their seats in the Rivers State House of Assembly, having committed an unpardonable constitutional breach,” the PDP stated.
The statement was signed by Debo Ologunagba, the party’s National Publicity Secretary.
The PDP cited its counterclaim filed by National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade, SAN, in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1681/2023 at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The claim stated, “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 party also noted that there are numerous judicial decisions supporting its position, affirming the constitutional breach by the defected lawmakers.
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