Why Tambuwal can’t declare defecting Reps’ seats vacant

From Omale Adama, Lokoja

A member of the House of Representatives from Kogi State, Hon. Umar Buba Jibril, has given reasons why the Speaker, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal cannot declare the seats of the 37 lawmakers who dumped the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC) vacant.

Jibril, who is equally the Chairman of the House Committee on Information and National Orientation said the seats of the defected lawmakers cannot be declared vacant until the court processes are concluded.

The lawmaker who represents Lokoja/Kogi federal Constituency at the National Assembly disclosed this to newsmen in Lokoja shortly after the conclusion of the local government congress of his All Progressives Congress party.

He added that the affected lawmakers had appealed against the judgement of the Federal High Court, Abuja, pointing out that nothing can be done on the matter for now until the legal processes are exhausted.

He further argued that contrary to the insinuation by some people, the APC strongly believed in democratic ethos, maintaining that they emphasize on consensus so as to ensure unity and cohesion in the party.

According to him, election creates division, rancour and acrimony, noting that they want to consolidate on the gains they have recorded in the last ten months rather than allowing anything that would weaken the party as a result of internal squabbles.

He further expressed confidence that the APC would dislodge the PDP in next year’s general elections, stressing that his party would bring about positive change that would take Nigeria to another level of development.

The lawmaker maintained that contrary to the misguided thinking of some people, there won’t be any implosion in APC, stressing that the little crisis here and there is normal considering the fact that the party is very popular and as such, everybody wants to belong to it.