Kwara Assembly sacks two members over defection to PDP

Kwara State House of Assembly has declared the seats of two legislators vacant after they defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the People's Democratic Party (PDP). Saba Gideon of the Edu Constituency and Olusola Odetundun of the Irepodun Constituency were removed from office following a formal request by the APC State Chairman, Sunday Fagbemi. The request was directed to the Speaker of the House, Salihu Yakubu-Danladi, citing Section 109(1g)(2) of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution. According to the letter submitted by Fagbemi, the two members were elected under the APC and had not been part of any internal party division. As such, they lacked the constitutional right to switch parties during their term. This provision prohibits members from affiliating with another political party while still serving in the legislature. The move comes amid ongoing tensions between the ruling party and its opposition. During a debate on the issue, the Leader of the House, Abdulkadir Magaji, explained that Section 109(1g) of the Constitution mandates that a member must remain loyal to the party that elected them until their term ends. He emphasized that the two members had left the APC for the PDP and sought re-election under the new party, which violated the constitutional rule. Magaji’s remarks underscored the legal basis for the decision. Several other lawmakers supported the motion to declare the seats vacant. Among them were Abolarin Gabriel from the Ekiti Constituency, Ganiyu Salahu from the Omupo Constituency, and Oguniyi Seun from the Ojomu/Balogun Constituency. These representatives argued that the defection undermined the integrity of the legislative process and the stability of the assembly. The Speaker of the House, Mr. Yakubu-Danladi, ultimately accepted the recommendation and officially declared the seats of Saba Gideon and Olusola Odetundun vacant. This action effectively removes both members from their positions until new elections can be held. The decision marks a clear stance by the APC against cross-party defections during active legislative terms. The incident highlights the strict enforcement of constitutional provisions governing party loyalty in state legislatures. It also reflects the broader political dynamics in Kwara State, where party allegiance plays a crucial role in governance. While the APC maintains that the move is lawful, some analysts suggest that the decision could influence future political strategies, particularly regarding how legislators navigate party lines. The next steps will likely involve the initiation of fresh elections to fill the vacant seats. However, the timing and procedures for these elections remain unclear. Political observers are watching closely to see whether this development signals a shift in power dynamics or reinforces existing structures within the state assembly. For now, the focus remains on the legal and procedural implications of the recent actions taken by the APC and the House of Assembly.