The Abia State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare the seat of Chris Nkwonta, the representative of Ukwa East/Ukwa West Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, vacant. This request comes after Nkwonta’s recent defection from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Nkwonta officially switched parties during a session on the floor of the House of Representatives, sparking immediate reactions from his former party. The PDP insists that his defection violates the Nigerian Constitution, which outlines the rules for when a federal lawmaker can leave the party under which they were elected.
In a statement issued by Jude Ndukwe, Media Adviser to the Abia PDP Caretaker Committee, the party demanded that INEC take immediate action by adhering to constitutional provisions. Ndukwe referred to Section 68(1)(g) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which governs the conditions for a lawmaker’s defection. According to Ndukwe, Nkwonta’s defection does not meet the criteria specified in the law.
“This call on INEC is for the electoral body to comply with the provisions of Section 68(1)(g) & (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) since Hon. Nkwonta’s defection did not meet the conditions precedent to the defection of a federal lawmaker as provided for by our laws,” Ndukwe stated.
The PDP further emphasized that there was no faction or crisis within the party at either the federal or state level that would justify Nkwonta’s move to the APC. The party believes that Nkwonta’s defection was both “illegal” and “unconstitutional.” As such, they are calling for INEC to conduct a new election within the timeframe allowed by the constitution to replace Nkwonta in the House of Representatives.
However, not everyone from the constituency sees Nkwonta’s defection in a negative light. Don Ubani, a former Chief of Staff to the Governor of Abia State and a PDP member from Ukwa East/Ukwa West Federal Constituency, defended Nkwonta’s decision. Ubani claimed that the people of the constituency had supported Nkwonta’s defection to the APC, saying, “we mandated him to join APC.”
