By Jelili Gbadamosi
The Kwara State House of Assembly has declared the seats of two lawmakers vacant after they defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The affected lawmakers are Saba Yisa Gideon, representing Edu Constituency, and Olusola Odetundun, representing Irepodun Constituency.
The decision followed a request by the Kwara State APC Chairman, Prince Sunday Fagbemi, who asked the Speaker, Salihu Yakubu Danladi, to declare the lawmakers’ seats vacant.
Fagbemi based his request on Section 109(1)(g)(2) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, arguing that the lawmakers were elected on the APC platform and that there was no recognised division within the party to justify their defection.
During deliberations, the House Leader, Abdulkadir Oba Magaji, said the issue was primarily constitutional. He argued that lawmakers elected on a political party’s platform were not permitted to defect to another party while their tenure remained in effect, except under circumstances recognised by the Constitution.
Magaji noted that the two lawmakers had moved to the PDP and were reportedly seeking to retain their respective seats under the opposition party.
Several lawmakers, including Abolarin Ganiyu Gabriel, Ganiyu Folabi Salahu and Oguniyi David Sheun, supported the request.
Following the debate, Speaker Salihu Yakubu Danladi declared the seats of the two lawmakers vacant, citing the relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution.
The development could trigger further political activity in the affected constituencies as the lawmakers’ defection shifts the political landscape ahead of the next electoral cycle.
