The 37 Lawmakers in Nigeria’s House of Representatives who defected from Peoples Democratic Party ,PDP to All Progressives Congress,APC have warned those insisting that defectors’ seats be declared vacant.A statement by the group said the call could backfire because when the chips are down even those who defected to PDP from other parties could be affected.
“If the Speaker were to declare seats vacant, these PDP apologists should note that it will cut across all parties whose members have so far cross parted one way or the other. Thus declaring seat vacant, after due process has been followed, would not only affect APC as a party” the lawmakers said in a statement signed by Hon. Andrew Uchendu.
He said “Our argument before the court is that only Mr. Speaker is constitutionally empowered to declare seats vacant after satisfying himself of some facts. And if the Speaker were to declare seats vacant, these PDP apologists should note that it will cut across all parties whose members have so far cross parted one way or the other. Thus declaring seat vacant, after due process has been followed, would not only affect APC as a party.
Actually the lawmers cautioned those making calls for lawmakers’ seats to be declared vacant because such calls are prejudicial and contemptuous of Nigerian courts.
The statement said “We have noticed that it has become commonplace every now and then to read in the media comments and calls on the Rt. Hon. Speaker, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, to declare vacant the seats of the 37 lawmakers who defected from PDP to APC. One cannot but be amused at such calls due to its inexplicable display of ignorance of our system. And when such calls emanate from people who should otherwise know better, the intention to mislead the public immediately becomes apparent.
“At the risk of being cited for contempt, it needs to be reiterated that the issue of whether a seat is or is not vacant is a live matter before a competent court in Abuja and we all know that once a matter is before the court, it behoves on civilized and law-abiding citizens to stay from drawing conclusions or deciding the matter before the court does so. Such calls at this period amount to contempt of the judicial process.
“Those who are so concerned and eager to see the defectors out have option to approach the Federal High Court through a motion of joinder, and join PDP as plaintiffs in the ongoing matter.
“ Our argument before the court is that only Mr. Speaker is constitutionally empowered to declare seats vacant after satisfying himself of some facts. And if the Speaker were to declare seats vacant, these PDP apologists should note that it will cut across all parties whose members have so far cross parted one way or the other. Thus declaring seat vacant, after due process has been followed, would not only affect APC as a party.
“Let us appeal to all to stay all speculative comments and refrain from heating the polity until the judicial process comes to some determination. This arrant display of ignorance and brigandage is enough and our members will not hesitate to approach the court to file contempt charges against people who seek to be more politically concerned than the PDP itself.
