The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to initiate the process for a new election to fill the Ethiope East/Ethiope West Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives. This comes after Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, daughter of former Delta State Governor James Ibori, defected from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Ibori-Suenu’s defection was announced alongside the switch of four Labour Party members in the House of Representatives—Tochukwu Okere (Imo), Donatus Mathew (Kaduna), Bassey Akiba (Cross River), and Iyawe Esosa (Edo)—to the APC.
In a statement issued on Friday by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the party argued that Ibori-Suenu’s defection automatically nullifies her seat under the provisions of Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
“The Peoples Democratic Party demands that the Independent National Electoral Commission immediately commence processes to conduct a fresh election to fill the Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives, which automatically became vacant by reason of the defection of Hon. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu to the All Progressives Congress,” Ologunagba said.
The statement further emphasized that the law mandates any legislator who defects from the party on which they were elected to vacate their seat. It argued that Ibori-Suenu’s departure from the PDP effectively renders the Ethiope East/Ethiope West Federal Constituency seat vacant.
Ologunagba warned Ibori-Suenu to cease presenting herself as a member of the House of Representatives, stating that such actions could amount to impersonation and attract legal consequences. He also urged the National Assembly’s Sergeant-at-Arms to enforce this change, recognizing that Ibori-Suenu is no longer a member of the legislative chamber.
The PDP’s demand underscores its intent to uphold constitutional provisions while challenging the defection of its members to rival parties.
