PDP to take legal action against defecting lawmakers
The National Executive Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has directed the National Working Committee of the party to take immediate legal action to recover the seats of all serving members of the National and State Assemblies elected on the platform of the PDP but defected to other parties.
This is contained in a communique issued at the end of the party NEC meeting held in Abuja on Thursday.
It said this was necessary to preserve all the electoral mandate given to the party by Nigerians across the country.
“By virtue of the self-executory provision of Sections 68 (1) (g) and 109 (1) (g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) such defectors have irredeemably lost their seats, there being no division or merger with regard to the PDP.
“NEC expressed serious concern and frowns at the reported participation and involvement of some Party members in the activities, meetings and gathering of another political party. NEC calls on these members to reconsider their actions and show loyalty and commitment as members of the PDP especially as the law does not permit membership of two political Parties at the same time.”
It stated that the NEC expressed satisfaction over the resolution of all contentions and disagreements within the Party, describing it as a demonstration of the engrained patriotic disposition of members “and our Party’s democratic principles of dialogue, mutual understanding and commitment to the overall interest of the PDP and the common good of all Nigerians.”
The NEC reassured all Party members and Nigerians that the PDP remains a strong, united, cohesive, stable and focused political Party repositioned to effectively play its role as the leading opposition Party in galvanizing all efforts towards rescuing the nation from the catastrophic misrule of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The NEC also approved the 2025 Elective National Convention Schedule of Activities and Timetable.
“Under the approved Timetable, the Elective National Convention to elect the next set of National Officers of our Party will hold on Saturday, 15th to Sunday, 16th November, 2025 in Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital.
“Consequently, NEC directed the National Chairman, His Excellency, Amb. Iliya Damagum and the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu to officially write to inform the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of the time, venue and agenda of the Elective National Convention in accordance with the requirement of Section 82 (1) of the Electoral Act, 2022 and Part 2(12) of the Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties, 2022.
“Accordingly, NEC approved the membership composition of the National Convention Committee as well as the membership composition of the National Convention Zoning Committee to ensure a successful, transparent and credible Elective National Convention.”
According to the communique, as the leading opposition Party and platform of choice for all Nigerians, the PDP remains open in working with other well-meaning and like-minded citizens in the collective effort to rescue the nation “from the stranglehold of the rudderless and insensitive APC administration.
“NEC reassures of PDP’s belief in Democracy, and its commitment and readiness to be at the forefront in driving the aspiration of Nigerians to oust the APC and install a people-oriented government on the platform of the PDP come 2027.
