Umar Damagun, the Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has formally written to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), urging the body to conduct a bye-election to fill the vacancies left by 27 Rivers State lawmakers who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In his letter dated November 13, 2024, Damagun requested that INEC hold fresh elections in the 27 state constituencies rendered vacant following the lawmakers’ defection. He referenced Section 109(1)(g) of the Nigerian Constitution, which stipulates that a lawmaker’s seat becomes vacant if they switch parties without a valid reason.
Damagun further asserted that the lawmakers’ defection to the APC was unlawful, as there had been no merger or division within the PDP to justify such action. He emphasized that the lawmakers’ seats are now vacant and cannot be reinstated without a new election.
The letter was shared with the media by Ikenga Ugochinyere, spokesperson for the Opposition Lawmakers Coalition, during a press briefing held in Akokwa, Imo State.
