March 22, (THEWILL) – The Cross River State Chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has welcomed the court order sacking 20 Lawmakers from the state, who defected to the APC.
The affected lawmakers include two House of Representatives members Mike Etaba and Legor Idagbo, as well as 18 members of the State House of Assembly.
The State Publicity Secretary in a release made available to THEWILL, described the verdict as a landmark judgement and victory for the electorate in Cross River State.
He stated that, “The judgement, which was delivered by Justice Taiwo in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/975/2021, filed by the PDP, held that the defendants, having decamped from the Political party that sponsored their election before the expiration of the period for which they were elected, have by virtue of the provisions of Section 68(1)(g) and Section 109 (1) (g) of the Constitution of the federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) respectively, vacated their seats and are not entitled to continue to occupy the various seats or offices into which they were elected.
“The court also made an order of mandatory injunction compelling INEC to accept from the PDP, the list of its members for the purpose of filling the vacancy created by the exit of the lawmakers.
“In view of the judgement, the Peoples Democratic Party, Cross River State, congratulates the electorate for standing formidably with the PDP, assures them of more victories ahead”, he said.
On his part, the State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Barr Venatius Ikem, called on other members of the All Progressives Congress to take advantage of the “April Transfer” season and return to the Peoples Democratic Party.
The State Chairman expressed optimism that the judgement of the court will be implemented and upheld by the appellate courts.
He enjoined party faithfuls to remain steadfast and committed to the party in the quest to reclaiming the party’s mandate stolen by APC.
THEWILL Correspondent, Aniekan Bassey has over six years experience that spans across several fields in print journalism including development communication, sexual reproductive and health rights issues, crime, climate change, social justice, business and human interest stories.
