PDP asks court to sack 7 Kogi lawmakers

Following the recent defection of seven of its members to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Kogi state house of assembly, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said it has approached the Federal High Court, Lokoja praying for declaration of their seats vacant.

The state legal adviser of the party S.M John-Mark, disclosed to supporters that the party is set to reclaim all the seats of the defected members.

He said the position of the law is unambiguous as to ownership of vote citing the recent pronouncements of the Supreme Court in Wada V Bello and Faleke V Bello to the effect that it is the political party that wins or loses an election and not a Candidate.

The legal adviser maintained that the members that defected cannot transfer the votes of PDP to another party.

According to him, they were agents of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the house so if they have abandoned their Principal (The Party) they cannot continue to enjoy the benefits of the party votes.

He added that the reasons the members gave for defecting is weak, unknown to law and devoid of substance.

He argued that there is no iota of division in the PDP, and said that the defecting members were in grave error and had taken a big risk in view of the fact that their decision to leave the party came after the court of appeal had resolved the leadership tussle in the in the party.

He assured party faithful that a strong legal team had been assembled to handle the case.

The team of lawyers is headed by Sylva Ogwemoh (SAN).