PDP moves to recover mandate as Rivers lawmakers ‘defect twice’

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the latest defection of some members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, describing their action as a “second round of political betrayal” and a mockery of the legislature.

This was contained in a statement signed by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, on Saturday.

The statement reads partly: “We have seen on various media platforms news of the redefection of some members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, who, for a second time, announced their defection from our party. We recall that they had done so earlier and later recanted. These are people whom the world is aware are doing the bidding of their paymaster and demigod.

“The members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have, by their actions since they assumed office, shown that they are political puppets and a clog in the wheels of democratic progress. They will go down in history as enemies of democracy and those who made mockery of the legislature.

“So the easiest way to describe their action is a defection from APC to APC.

“Consequently, the @OfficialPDPNig will take legal steps to activate the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999 as amended) to recover the mandate gained under the banner of our party which these people have now ignobly and surreptitiously switched to another platform.”

Following the fresh wave of defections, the PDP said it would initiate constitutional and legal processes to reclaim the seats of the lawmakers, whom it accused of abandoning the mandate secured on the platform of the party.

The party also alleged that the legislators had become instruments in the hands of external political forces, insisting that their actions amounted to “a direct assault on democratic ethics and accountability”.

It urged members of the PDP in Rivers State to stay calm and steadfast while internal restructuring efforts continue. According to the statement, the party’s ongoing reforms aim to rebuild its structure in the state on the principles of inclusiveness, fairness and equity.

The PDP reaffirmed that its leadership remains committed to restoring stability and cohesion within its ranks despite what it described as “desperate attempts to undermine the party in Rivers State”.