PDP seeks court order to sack four Osun lawmakers over defection

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has filed four separate suits before the Federal High Court, Abuja, seeking the removal of four Osun lawmakers in the National Assembly for defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The affected lawmakers are Senators Francis Fadahunsi (Osun East) and Olubiyi Oluwole Fadeyi (Osun Central), as well as Reps Omirin Olusanya (Atakumosa East/West, Ilesa East/West) and Taofeek Ajilesoro (Ife Central/East/North/South).

In the suits filed on August 20 by counsel Rapheal Oyewole, the PDP argued that the legislators’ continued stay in office after leaving the party on whose platform they were elected violated Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution, which mandates loss of seat upon defection, except in cases of division or merger within the party.

The party prayed the court to declare the lawmakers’ seats vacant, compel Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas to announce the vacancies, and direct the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct bye-elections.

It also asked the court to order the withdrawal of all salaries, allowances, and benefits from the lawmakers, and a refund of emoluments received since their defection.

The suits, which also list the National Assembly and its Clerk as defendants, are yet to be assigned to a judge.

The development follows a similar case filed by the Osun PDP against Rep Oluwole Oke, representing Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency, over his defection to the APC.