PDP Seeks Impeachment Of Defecting Governors

The People's Democratic Party (PDP) has approached the Federal High Court, Abuja, seeking an order directing the Houses of Assembly in the governors' states to commence impeachment process against five of its former governors, who recently decamped to the All Progressive Congress (APC).

The affected governors are: Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Alhaji Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto), Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano) and Alhaji Abdulfatai Ahmed (Kwara).

The party is asking for the following reliefs:

· A declaration that by the combined provisions of Section 177(c), 221 and 222(c) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) the 2nd – 6th defendants who were elected under the platform of the plaintiff cannot continue to enjoy the mandate given to the plaintiff by the people/electorate of the respective states as the 2nd – 6th defendants have defected to the APC.

· A declaration that in the absence of any division known and recognised by law in the plaintiff, the 2nd – 6th defendants who were elected under the plaintiff's platform have vacated or forfeited their seats forthwith upon their defection to APC.

· A declaration that having combined provisions of Section 87 of the Electoral Act 2011 (as amended), Sections 177(c), 221 and 222(c) of the Constitution (as amended) the 2nd – 6th defendants' defection from the plaintiff to the APC, the offices of the 2nd – 6th defendants have reverted to the plaintiff.

· A declaration that by combined provisions of Sections 177(c), 221 and 222(c) of the Constitution upon the defection of the 2nd – 6th defendants from the plaintiff to the APC, the mandate reverts to the deputy governor or speaker of the state Houses of Assembly of the respective states or any officer next in rank who is still a member of the plaintiff to function and assume the office of the governor of the respective states in question.