News

No Remedy for 27 Defected Rivers Lawmakers, INEC Must Conduct Fresh Elections to Fill Their Seats, PDP Insists

Published

2 years ago

December 20, 2023

Eric

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says there is no remedy for the 27 members of the Rivers state house of assembly who dumped the party to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The PDP was reacting to President Bola Tinubu’s intervention in the political crisis in the Niger Delta state.

On Monday, Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers state, and Nyesom Wike, his predecessor and minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), agreed to end the political turmoil between them after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu.

Among the resolutions reached at the meeting, all parties to the crisis in Rivers agreed that all matters instituted in courts should be “immediately” withdrawn, while the 27 lawmakers who defected to the APC should be taken back as members of the assembly.

Speaking after an emergency meeting of the PDP national working committee (NWC), Umar Damagum, acting national chairman of the party, said the defected lawmakers can only return to the Rivers house of assembly through an election.

Citing section 109 (1g) of the constitution, Damagum said there is “no remedy” for the lawmakers who “vacated and lost their seats because of defection from the PDP, the party platform upon which they were elected into the house of assembly”.

“Our Party insists that having now vacated and lost their seats, the only option available for the former lawmakers, if they wish to return to the house of assembly, is to seek fresh nomination and reelection on the platform of any political party of their choice in line with the provisions of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and the Electoral Act, 2022,” he said.

The PDP chairman said the lawmakers “freely and without any cause” vacated their seats, being fully aware of the consequences of defection from the party upon which they were elected.

“For the avoidance of doubt, there is no division in the PDP at the national or any other level for that matter to justify the defection of the 25 former members of the Rivers state house of assembly from the party,” Damagum said.

“They, therefore, vacated their seats for reasons best known to them and cannot return to the house of assembly without passing through a fresh electoral process.

“Moreover, the speaker of the Rivers state house of assembly Rt. on (Barr) Ehie O. Edison DSSRS officially declared the seat of the defected now former members vacant.

“The Rivers state house of assembly, having become Functus Officio on the matter, cannot re-admit the former lawmakers unless through the channel of a fresh election.”

The PDP asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct by-elections in the 27 constituencies to fill the” vacant seats” in the Rivers house of assembly.

In recent weeks, there has been a power tussle between Fubara and Wike, leading to divisions in the state’s political landscape.

The conflict extended to the Rivers house of assembly, polarising the legislature.

Amid the political crisis, some commissioners resigned from Fubara’s cabinet.

TheCable

News

Ex-Cross River Gov Donald Duke Joins ADC

Published

3 days ago

January 30, 2026

Eric

Former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), formally pitching his tent with the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Duke registered as an ADC member in Ward 5 of Calabar Municipality, where he collected his party membership card, marking his official entry into the opposition party.

His move comes amid recent internal concerns within the ADC in Cross River State. Former ADC governorship candidate, Dr Effiong Nyong, had written to the party’s National Chairman, protesting the inclusion of some individuals from the state in the ADC’s 50 Wise Men and Women Policy Manifesto Committee.

Nyong faulted a statement by the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, which listed persons who, according to him, neither resigned from the PDP nor made contributions to the ADC, calling for their removal.

Political observers believe Duke’s swift formal registration may be linked to the controversy, as the former governor had earlier been named among prominent figures associated with the party.

Recall that Duke previously left the PDP for the Social Democratic Party (SDP), where he emerged as the party’s presidential candidate under controversial circumstances.

Meanwhile, ADC leaders in Bakassi Local Government Area have intensified calls on Cross Riverians to identify with the party, describing it as a credible alternative ahead of future elections.

Rising from a stakeholders’ meeting involving chapter executives, ward chairmen, and secretaries, party leaders accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of misrule and urged Nigerians to reclaim the country.

In a statement signed by the Bakassi Chapter Chairman, Emmanuel Asuquo, and Secretary, Eko Boco, the party reaffirmed its loyalty to the ADC national leadership, pledging support for the National Chairman, Senator David Mark, and National Secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, while urging undecided citizens to join the party’s “transformative agenda.”

News

Police Nab Suspect Behind Dummy Bomb Threat to Lagos Schools

Published

3 days ago

January 30, 2026

Eric

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a 25-year-old man over alleged fake bomb threat messages to two private schools in Ikeja Government Reserved Area (GRA).

The suspect was tracked and arrested on January 24 in the Okota area of Lagos State following digital investigations.

According to the sources, the suspect allegedly sent WhatsApp messages threatening a fire explosion to the Human Resources Manager of AVI–CEENA School and the Chief Security Officer of Grange School, both located in Ikeja GRA.

Although the messages were sent from an unknown phone number, police said digital tracking led to the identification and arrest of the suspect, identified as Kosisochukwu Chukwuekenyem Ogbumuo.

The suspect is currently in police custody and will be charged to court on conclusion of investigations.

Police said inquiries are ongoing to determine the motive behind the threats and whether other individuals were involved.

The Lagos State Police Command reassured parents, school authorities and residents of Ikeja GRA of its commitment to maintaining security and preventing panic or disruption within the education sector.

News

Court Nullifies PDP National Convention Held in Ibadan

Published

3 days ago

January 30, 2026

Eric

The Federal High Court in Ibadan has nullified the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Convention held on November 15, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State. The court also barred Turaki and others from presenting themselves as national officers of the party.

Despite internal disputes, the PDP went ahead with its highly anticipated two-day 2025 Elective National Convention at Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan. Tagged #Ibadan2025, the convention drew thousands of party delegates and leaders.

The convention was expected to elect a new National Working Committee (NWC), including a National Chairman, who would steer the party ahead of the 2027 general elections. The court’s ruling casts uncertainty over the legitimacy of the leadership and raises questions about the party’s preparations for the next electoral cycle.

Party members and legal experts are now awaiting further clarification on the implications of the judgement for the PDP’s national leadership structure.