A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has denied a request to halt a lawsuit seeking to expel 27 lawmakers from the Rivers State House of Assembly who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.
The court rejected the petition filed by the embattled lawmakers, led by Martin Amaewhule, seeking to stall the lawsuit.
The presiding judge, Justice Stephen Daylopam, summoned the court’s bailiff to provide proof of service, and adjourned the hearing until Friday, June 28, 2024, according to the Champion.
The lawsuit, filed by the BOOT Party, seeks to declare the seats of the 27 lawmakers vacant and compel the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct elections to fill the vacant seats.
The PDP has joined the suit, seeking to recover the mandate and seats of the defecting lawmakers.
The National Legal Adviser of the PDP, Kamaldeen Ajibade, reiterated that the lawmakers’ defection is a clear violation of the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act, and that the party will pursue the case to its logical conclusion.
Justice Daylopam, however held that the issue of joinder, as well as who has the right to legally represent the party would be determined on the next adjourned date, before adjourning hearing till Friday, June 28, 2024.
Speaking to journalists outside the courtroom, National Legal Adviser of the PDP, Kamaldeen Ajibade insisted that the lawmakers actually defected from the party and that they are making moves to recover their mandate and seats.
Ajibade said, “The substance of the case has to do with the issue of defection of the members of Rivers State House of Assembly and there is no any other saying about it.
“They defected. And it’s the position of the party, PDP, that they actually defected and that PDP is seeking same to recover the seats back because they said they are in APC now. That’s just the essence of the matter.”
