The Kaduna State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare vacant the seats of three State House of Assembly members and one House of Representatives member who left the party for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The PDP condemned the defections, particularly by serving legislators elected under its platform, describing them as a blatant betrayal of the people’s trust.
In a statement issued by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Maria Dogo, the PDP insisted that the lawmakers’ move to the APC was both unacceptable and unconstitutional, demanding their immediate resignation.
Citing Sections 68(1)(g) and 109 of the Constitution, which mandate that any legislator who defects to another party must vacate their seat, the PDP urged the Speakers of the House of Representatives and the Kaduna State House of Assembly to declare the affected seats vacant and inform INEC to conduct bye-elections.
“While we respect every Nigerian’s constitutional right to freedom of association, we find these defections unacceptable.
“We therefore assure the people of Kaduna State, particularly those from the affected constituencies, that the PDP leadership will invoke constitutional provisions to reclaim our mandates, as there is no division or crisis within our party at the national level,” the statement read.
The PDP reaffirmed its strength despite the defections, maintaining that it remains the preferred choice of the majority in Kaduna State.