In a recent development in Rivers State’s political landscape, the Labour Party (LP) has made a decisive call to the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly. The party demands the declaration of 27 assembly members’ seats as vacant following their defection, and the prompt initiation of by-elections to fill these seats.
This bold request was articulated in a statement issued by the Labour Party Rivers State Chairman, Hon. Hilda Dokubo. The statement emphasized the need for adherence to constitutional provisions and called upon the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to oversee the by-election process.
The LP’s statement highlighted a critical aspect of the Nigerian Constitution, specifically Section 109. (1) (g), which mandates the vacation of a House of Assembly member’s seat if they defect to another party before their term ends. This section underlines the consequences for legislators who abandon the political parties under whose banners they were elected.
The Labour Party’s insistence on action from the Assembly Speaker is rooted in constitutional fidelity. The party also urges INEC to expedite the election process to replace the defected members, ensuring that the democratic process is upheld.
Reflecting on similar past incidents, the LP recalled the 2022 judgement by a Federal High Court in Abuja, which resulted in the sacking of 16 Ebonyi House of Assembly members for similar defections. The judgement in this case, along with the precedents set in the Cross River House of Assembly and the House of Representatives, reinforces the constitutional mandate against such political defections.
In a significant mention, the Labour Party also referred to a case involving one of its own. In 2012, an LP member from the Akure North/Akure South Federal Constituency defected to another party, leading to a Supreme Court ruling in 2022 that mandated the vacating of his seat. This case, albeit slow to conclude, served as a potent reminder of the judiciary’s role in upholding constitutional law and the consequences of political defection.
The Labour Party’s involvement in this matter stems from its assertions of electoral manipulations and frauds in Rivers State, which, according to them, unfairly disadvantaged their candidates in the previous election. The party firmly believes that fresh elections would provide an opportunity for the people of Rivers State to elect representatives who truly reflect their choices and aspirations.
Hon. Dokubo concluded by stressing the importance of these by-elections in restoring the democratic representation of the people of Rivers State, underscoring the Labour Party’s commitment to fair play and constitutional adherence in Nigeria’s political process.
