By Sylvanus Eteng
Listen To The report
The Peoples Democratic Party in Cross River State has described the judgment delivered by the Federal High Court Abuja, sacking 20 lawmakers from Cross River State who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress as a landmark judgment and victory for the electorates in Cross River State.
The judgment which was delivered by Justice Taiwo in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/975/2021 filed by the PDP, held that the defendants, having decamped from the political party that sponsored their election before the expiration of the period for which they were elected have by virtue of the provisions of Section 68(1g) and Section 109 (1g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) respectively, vacated their seats and are not entitled to continue to occupy the various seats or offices into which they were elected.
The court also made an order of mandatory injunction compelling INEC to accept from the PDP, the list of its members for the purpose of filling the vacancy created by the exit of the lawmakers.
In view of the judgment, the Peoples Democratic Party Cross River State congratulates the electorates for standing formidable with the PDP, assuring them of more victories ahead.
Reacting to the judgment, the State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Barr Venatius Ikem called on other members of the All Progressives Congress to take advantage of the “April Transfer” season and return to the Peoples Democratic Party.
The State APC has since appealed the judgment and applied for a stay of execution of the judgment.