Omolosho Fatai
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has sacked 20 members of the Cross River State House of Assembly for dumping Peoples Democratic Party to join the ruling All Progressives Congress.
The court said that the lawmakers who dumped the political party that sponsored them to power, ought to vacate their seats.
Justice Taiwo Taiwo gave the verdict in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/975/2021, which was filed by the PDP.
He stated that, “The action of the 5th to the 25th Defendants is feeble and constitutes an attempt to pull wool over the eyes of the court.
“Their counter affidavit is manifestly defective”.
Taiwo warned that politicians have to know that power belongs to the citizens.
This came a year after the governor of the state, Prof Ben Ayade, defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.
He announced the decision after a closed-door meeting with six APC governors that lasted over an hour at the executive chamber of the Governor’s Office in Calabar.
The governors in attendance were those of Ekiti, Kayode Fayemi; Jigawa, Mohammed Badaru; Yobe, Mai Mala Buni; Kebbi, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu; Imo, Hope Uzodima; and Plateau, Simon Along, as well as the Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva.
Speaking during the defection, Ayade said, “We need to join hands with President Buhari in his determination to enhance the fortunes of the country.
“I need all governors to similarly join me and understand my decision to join the APC.
“We need to work ahead with the president for the future and unity of Nigeria. We all need to sit at the same dining table with Mr Presidential to save Nigeria.
“It is my responsibility to bring back Cross River to the centre in order to enhance her fortunes.
“I therefore formally declare myself a member and leader of APC in Cross River State.”
