The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has vowed to take legal action against the Rivers State House of Assembly Lawmakers, who defected from the party to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Friday.
The 16 lawmakers, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, had on Friday defected to APC, citing “division” within the PDP as the reason for their defection.
Reacting to this development on Saturday in Abuja, the PDP, in a statement by its spokesman, Comrade Ini Ememobong, said it will take legal steps to regain its mandate.
Describing them as political puppets and a clog in the wheels of democratic progress, PDP also said that they will go down in history as enemies of democracy and those who made mockery of the legislature.
PDP said: “We have seen on various media platforms news of the redefection of some members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, who, for a second time, announced their defection from our party. We recall that they had done so earlier and later recanted. These are people whom the world is aware are doing the bidding of their paymaster and demigod.
“The members of the Rivers state House of Assembly have by their actions since they assumed office, shown that they are political puppets and a clog in the wheels of democratic progress. They will go down in history as enemies of democracy and those who made mockery of the legislature.
“So the easiest way to describe their action is a defection from APC to APC.
“Consequently, the PDP will take legal steps to activate the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria(1999 as amended) to recover the mandate gained under the benner of our party which these people have now ignobly and surreptitiously switched to another platform.
“We urge all party members in Rivers State to remain faithful and resolute, as efforts are underway to rebuild the party along the path of inclusiveness, fairness and equity.”
Meanwhile, the former National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan has dumped the party.
Although, he has not clearly explained where he’s going to, but he, however, thanked the party for the opportunity to serve.
In his letter to the Chairman, Okekoko Ward (09), Kabba/Bunu local government titled, “notification of membership withdrawal,” Ologbondiyan said “let me start by thanking you as well as other levels of leadership in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the opportunities provided for me to serve the party as well as our fatherland, Nigeria.
“It is now imperative to bring your attention to the foct that l have reviewed my participation in the PDP and came to the conclusion that for personal reasons, I need to make my exit.
“I have therefore come to a decision to formally withdraw my membership of the PDP, henceforth.”
