KWARA ASSEMBLY DECLARES SEATS OF TWO DEFECTING APC LAWMAKERS VACANT
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By: Fasasi Hammad
The Kwara State House of Assembly has declared the seats of two lawmakers, Saba Yisa Gideon, representing Edu Constituency, and Olusola Odetundun, representing Irepodun Constituency, vacant following their defection from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The decision followed a request by the APC State Chairman, Prince Sunday Fagbemi, in a letter addressed to the Speaker of the House, Salihu Yakubu Danladi.
Fagbemi cited Section 109(1)(g)(2) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, arguing that the lawmakers were elected on the APC platform and could not defect to another political party without a division within the party.
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Leading the debate on the matter, the House Leader, Abdulkadir Oba Magaji, said the issue was constitutional, noting that Section 109(1)(g) prohibits a lawmaker from defecting to another political party while still serving a tenure for which they were elected, except under circumstances provided by the Constitution.
Magaji noted that Gideon and Odetundun had left the APC for the PDP and were seeking re-election under the opposition party, which he said was contrary to the constitutional provision.
He therefore supported the request for their seats to be declared vacant.
Other lawmakers who backed the move included Abolarin Ganiyu Gabriel of Ekiti Constituency, Ganiyu Folabi Salahu of Omupo Constituency and Oguniyi David Sheun of Ojomu/Balogun Constituency.
Following the debate, Speaker Salihu Yakubu Danladi declared the seats of the two defecting lawmakers vacant, citing Section 109(1)(g)(2) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
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