Consequently, the pro-democracy organisation has given the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) a 14-day ultimatum to organise bye-elections for the 27 "vacant" constituencies in the State House of Assembly.
As reported by Prime 9ja Online, a total of 27 lawmakers from the PDP have recently aligned themselves with the APC. Daniel Okwa, the group's convener, voiced his concerns about these recent political shifts in Rivers State during a press briefing on Tuesday, characterising the situation as harmful to democratic principles.
Okwa pointed out that, by the Nigerian Constitution, the 27 lawmakers have lost their seats in the state assembly due to their defection, thereby necessitating new elections. He quoted Section 109 (g) of the Constitution, stating, "A member of a House of Assembly shall vacate his seat if, being a person whose election was sponsored by a political party, he becomes a member of another political party before the expiration of the period for which that House was elected."
He further added, "The 27 controversial lawmakers must simply comply with the position of the law by vacating the Rivers State House of Assembly, having breached the Constitution. Under the law, these lawmakers cease to be elected representatives of the people, and their offices must be declared vacant."
The NDC expressed its disappointment that the lawmakers were allegedly misguided and misled into defecting without understanding the legal consequences, and issued a warning about potential similar situations in other states.
The group called on INEC to promptly conduct bye-elections and warned that failure to comply with the law could lead to citizens taking action against the electoral body.