By Busari Kabirat
The Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), Abia State chapter, has called upon the Independent Electoral National Electoral Commission, (INEC), in the state to as soon as possible comply with the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution and declare the representative of Ukwa East/Ukwa West Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Chris Nkwonta’s seat vacant on Wednesday, as he defected from PDP to APC
This was made known in a released statement by Abia state Media Adviser to the PDP Caretaker Committee, Jude Ndukwe, likewise requesting the INEC to conduct a fresh election according to the time stated constitutionally stated to replace a defected member.
Meanwhile, there is no law from the PDP both in the state or federal level that says defection of a member is illegal and no criticism against any member who defect to another party.
Statement reads: “This call on INEC is for the electoral body to comply with the provisions of Section 68(1)(g) & (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) since Hon. Nkwonta’s defection did not meet the conditions precedent to the defection of a federal lawmaker as provided for by our laws.”
According to Don Ubani, the Ex-Chief of Staff to Abia state Governor, who is a PDP member from the Ukwa-East and Ukwa-West Federal constituency, Hon. Nkwonta’s defection was mandated “we mandated him to join APC”, he said.
