NO REMEDY FOR RIVERS DEFECTORS: PDP’S CLEAR VERDICT ON WIKE’S 27 LAWMAKERS.
The political tides in Rivers State have taken yet another decisive turn as the Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Amb. Umar Damagun, made a categorical statement—there is no remedy for the 27 defected lawmakers loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike. His declaration that the only option left for them is to recontest under new political platforms reaffirms the supremacy of the law over political maneuvering. While we await the Supreme Court verdict on the matters of Rivers State.
This shift in position by the PDP leadership is a landmark moment in the ongoing political drama that has seen a faction of the former members of Rivers State House of Assembly, previously elected under the PDP, abandon their mandate to align with the All Progressives Congress (APC). Their defection, which triggered a constitutional crisis, has now met its ultimate roadblock—political and legal irreversibility.
The reality of defection, no shortcuts, no immunity. Defection, under the 1999 Constitution (as amended), carries clear consequences, particularly for lawmakers who abandon their party without a proven division within its ranks. The case of the 27 Rivers lawmakers falls squarely within this legal framework, rendering their continued claim to legislative seats untenable.
By affirming that their seats are indeed vacant, Amb. Damagun has effectively nullified their attempts to cling to power through legal gymnastics. The PDP’s newfound firmness on the matter signals a departure from the earlier ambiguous stance that allowed the defectors to operate under the illusion of legitimacy. Now, they must face the inevitable—either they prepare for fresh elections under a new party or exit the political stage altogether. Damagun is shorting the time of the Supreme Court on this particular case.
For Governor Siminalayi Fubara, I will say this development is a vindication of his steadfast commitment to upholding the rule of law despite political pressures. From the onset, he has maintained that the defected lawmakers had no legal standing, a position that was initially challenged but is now being reinforced by the PDP hierarchy itself.
The governor’s approach to governance—anchored on legal principles rather than political expediency—has set a precedent for institutional integrity. The unfolding events prove that no amount of external political backing, even from a high-ranking minister like Wike, can shield defectors from the consequences of their actions.
The road ahead: fresh elections or political obscurity? With the PDP’s stance now clear as we awaits the Supreme Court judgments, the 25 lawmakers have limited choices. They can either test their popularity by recontesting under new political banners or accept that their political gamble has failed. However, recontesting presents a steep challenge, as their defection has already cost them credibility among the electorate. The people of Rivers State, who voted for them on the PDP platform, may not be inclined to reward what is widely perceived as political betrayal.
The rule of law revails, Amb. Damagun’s statement is not just a political decision—it is a reinforcement of constitutional democracy. It sends a strong message that elected officials must respect the sanctity of their mandates and that political maneuvering has its limits.
As the dust settles, one undeniable fact emerges: in Rivers State, the law has caught up with those who sought to bypass it. The political landscape is shifting, and Governor Fubara’s administration stands strengthened by this development. The PDP has chosen law over loyalty to defectors, and for Rivers people, this is a victory for democracy.
~ Meshach Alaputa Jaja, CPA, anipr.
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