The Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the declaration of the seats of Hon. Olushola Odetundun and Hon. Saba Yisa Gideon as vacant by the Kwara State House of Assembly, describing the decision as unconstitutional and politically motivated.
In a statement issued by the party’s State Publicity Secretary, Olusegun Olusola Adewara, the PDP accused the Assembly of acting on a letter from the All Progressives Congress (APC) State Chairman, Prince Sunday Fagbemi, rather than following the constitutional process required for such a decision.
The party argued that the lawmakers, who represent Irepodun and Edu state constituencies, were being punished for exercising their constitutional and political rights after leaving the APC for the PDP.
According to the PDP, Section 109 of the 1999 Constitution must be applied strictly and cannot be used selectively for political purposes. The party maintained that the Constitution recognises certain circumstances surrounding defections and requires satisfactory evidence before a seat can be declared vacant.
The opposition party challenged the Kwara State House of Assembly to make public the evidence it relied on before announcing the decision, insisting that the constitutional requirements were not followed.
The PDP also criticised Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and Speaker Yakubu Danladi, saying the Assembly should not serve as a political enforcement arm of the APC.
It argued that the Speaker, as the APC’s governorship candidate, has a responsibility to separate partisan interests from his constitutional duties as head of the legislature.
The party further stated that if the APC is confident of its support in the affected constituencies, it should allow the electorate to determine their representatives through the democratic process rather than using legislative action.
The PDP called on the House to immediately reverse the declaration and allow the courts to determine any constitutional issues arising from the lawmakers’ defection.
It also vowed to pursue all lawful and constitutional options, including judicial action, to protect the rights of the affected lawmakers and the constituents they represent.
