DEFECTION: IMO ASSEMBLY DECLARES PDP LAWMAKER’S SEAT VACANT, RECALLS SUSPENDED MEMBER

REPORTER: CHINAZO ILECHUKWU

The Imo State House of Assembly has declared the seat of the lawmaker representing Nkwerre state constituency in the parliament, Chief Obinna Okwara, vacant for his alleged defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

The action followed a motion by the member representing Ngor Okpalla constituency, Chief Blyden Amajirionwu, and seconded by his counterpart from Isiala Mbano, Chief Chiji Collins.

Chief Amajirionwu, who tendered pictorial and video evidence of the defection, said Chief Okwara, who has been on suspension for unparliamentary conduct since December 2021, contravened section 109 subsection 1(g) of the 1999 constitution (as amended).

According to Chief Amajirionwu, the law only permitted defection when there is division in the political party that sponsored the legislator, and insisted that the Nkwerre constituency seat be declared vacant in line with the constitution.

The Speaker of the House, Chief Kennedy Ibeh, while ruling on the motion, admitted that there was a clear indication that Chief Okwara had defected to another party, hence should be made to vacate his seat.

The Speaker therefore directed the Clerk of the House, Mrs. Chinelo Emeghara, to forward the resolution of the House to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a bye-election for the constituency.

The House during the plenary announced the recall of the member representing Ideato North constituency, Chief Arthur Egwim, who has been on suspension since 2021.

This is the second time Chief Ibeh is declaring seats of lawmakers vacant for alleged contravention of the law since his emergence as Speaker in 2021.