✕ CLOSE Online Special City News Entrepreneurship Environment Factcheck Everything Woman Home Front Islamic Forum Life Xtra Property Travel & Leisure Viewpoint Vox Pop Women In Business Art and Ideas Bookshelf Labour Law Letters
Click Here To Listen To Trust Radio Live

Clark asks INEC to fill up 27 ‘vacant’ Rivers Assembly seats

An elder statesman and convener of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Chief Edwin Clark, has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a by-election to fill the seats of “defected” lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Daily Trust reports that 27 members of the state House of Assembly had in December 2023, “dumped” the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the heat of political crisis in the state.

The lawmakers are loyal to former governor of the state, Nyesom Wike, who is currently the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

SPONSOR AD

Their “defection” followed the feud between Wike and his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, over the control of governance and politics in the state. It also led to multiple litigations.

But in an open letter addressed to the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Clark said the defection of the lawmakers was a violation of section 109 (1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), noting that there was no crisis in the PDP.

The letter reads in part, “The seats of the 27 former members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have been vacant for a long time, more than one year after the former holders vacated, thus depriving the people of the affected constituencies of representation in the state house of assembly.

“INEC under your watch is yet to carry out its statutory function of conducting a by-election to fill the seats. By their actions, going by Section 109 1(g), those 27 persons have automatically and immediately, without reversal, lost their seats.

“I plead with the Chairman of INEC to, without delay, conduct a by-election to fill the vacant seats and give adequate representation to the people of the affected constituencies.”


 

Sponsored

Discover the latest trends on Temu! Shop mobile phones, fashion, beauty, home essentials & more. Start exploring now!


Click here to learn how it works.

Sponsored

Unlock AI's potential! Get top prompts for content, blogs, social media, research, draft proposals and more. Boost creativity start using AI tools today!


Click here to learn how it works.

Sponsored

Start Affiliate Marketing Today! Learn step-by-step how to set up a blog, find programs, create links, and earn money—beginner-friendly guide inside!


Click here to learn how it works.

Sponsored

Join our FREE WEBINAR! Discover the 3-step formula to turn WhatsApp into a cash-generating machine. Sign up now and start earning!"


Click here to learn how it works.

Sponsored

Master Facebook Ads! Learn to set up Business Manager, run campaigns, optimize budgets, and drive sales. Start your journey to ad success today!"


Click here to learn how it works.

Sponsored

Unlock your confidence and attract the love you deserve! Learn how to become irresistible to women—start your transformation today!"


Click here to learn how it works.

Join Daily Trust WhatsApp Community For Quick Access To News and Happenings Around You.