The Kwara State House of Assembly has declared the seats of two lawmakers vacant following their defection to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The affected lawmakers are Saba Yisa Gideon, representing Edu State Constituency, and Olusola Odetundun, representing Irepodun State Constituency. The decision was taken during Tuesday’s plenary in Ilorin.
However, The action followed a letter issued by the Kwara State APC Chairman, Sunday Fagbemi, to the Speaker, Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, seeking that the lawmakers’ seats be declared vacant in line with Sections 109(1)(g) and 109(2) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
Fagbemi argued that the lawmakers were elected on the APC platform and could not retain their seats after joining another political party. He also reiterated that their defections did not fall under the constitutional exception that allows lawmakers to change parties when there is a division within the party that sponsored them.
Leading the debate, the House Leader, Abdulkadir Oba Magaji, described the matter as a constitutional issue. He noted that both lawmakers had not only defected to the PDP but were also seeking re-election under the opposition party ahead of the 2027 elections.
Notably, several lawmakers supported the request before the Speaker declared the two seats vacant.
Apparently, the Kwara PDP rejected the decision, describing it as politically motivated. The party questioned the procedure adopted by the Assembly and argued that the constitutional requirements had not been properly established.
The PDP also threatened to challenge the decision through lawful and judicial means, insisting that the people of Edu and Irepodun constituencies should not lose their elected representatives because of political disagreements.
By Musekir Faisat Omolara
