The acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagun, has written to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), demanding a bye-election to replace 27 Rivers State lawmakers who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a letter dated November 13, 2024, Damagun urged INEC to conduct fresh elections in the 27 state constituencies that have become vacant due to the lawmakers’ defection. He cited Section 109 (1)(g) of the Constitution, which states that a lawmaker’s seat becomes vacant if they defect to another party without a valid reason.

The PDP acting chairman argued that the 27 lawmakers’ defection to the APC was unlawful and without any valid reason, as there was no division or merger in the PDP that would have permitted such a defection. He maintained that the lawmakers have vacated their seats and cannot return to the House of Assembly without a fresh election.

Damagun’s letter was made available to journalists by the spokesperson of the Opposition Lawmakers Coalition, Ikenga Ugochinyere, during a press conference in Akokwa, Imo State.

More to follow…