The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on
Thursday, commenced an action before the
Federal High Court sitting Abuja, seeking to
unseat the five governors who defected from
the party to the All Progressives Congress
(APC).
The governors include Alhaji Murtala Nyako
(Adamawa), Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Alhaji
Magatakarda Wamakko (Sokoto), Alhaji Rabiu
Kwankwaso (Kano) and Alhaji Abdulfatai
Ahmed (Kwara).
Named as defendants in the suit along the five
governors is the Independent National
Electoral Commission (INEC).
In the action filed on behalf of the party by Dr
Alex Aigbe Izinyon (SAN), the party cited
Section 177 (c), 221 and 222 (c) of the
Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
as a ground for the court to declare them
ineligible to remain in office as governor
having defected to the APC.
The party wants a declaration that by the
combined provisons of Section 177 (c), 221 and
222 (c) of the Constitution of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) the
second - sixth defendants who were elected
under the platform of the plaintiff cannot
continue to enjoy the mandate given to the
plaintiff by the people / electorate of the
respective states as the second - sixth
defendants have defected to the All
Progressive Congress (APC).
It also wants a declaration that in the absence
of any division known and recognised by law
in the Plaintiff, the second - sixth defendants
who were elected under the plaintiff’s
platform have vacated or forfeited their seats
forthwith upon their defection to the All
Progressives Congress (APC).
Also the party is seeking a declaration that
having combined provisions of Section 87 of
the Electoral Act 2011 (as amended), Section
177 (c), 221 and 222 (c) of the Constitution of
the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as
amended) the second - sixth defendants’
defection from the Plaintiff, the All Progressive
Congress (APC), the offices of the second - sixth
defendants have reverted to the Plaintiff.
PDP also wants the court to declare that by
combined provisions of Section 177 (c), 221 and
222 (c) of the Constitution of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) upon
the defection of the second - sixth defendants’
defection from the Plaintiff, the All Progressive
Congress (APC), the mandate reverts to the
deputy governor or speaker of the State
Houses of Assembly of the respective states or
any officer next in rank who is still a member
of the Plaintiff to function and assume the
office of the Governor of the respective states
in question.
The party also wants a declaration that by the
combined provisions of Sections 177 (c), 221
and 222 (c) of the Constitution of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), the act
of defection by the second - sixth defendant
from the PDP under whose platform they were
elected to APC amounts to gross misconduct.
The Plaintiff also sought an order of the court
mandating / directing the State Houses of
Assembly of Adama, Rivers, Sokoto, Kano and
Kwara states of the respective second - sixth
defendants to commence impeachment
proceedings against the second - sixth
defendants forthwith.



www.tribune.com.ng/news2013/index.php/en/news/lead-stories/item/28464-pdp-asks-court-to-sack-defected-govs.html