Kwara Assembly Voids Seats Of Two APC Defectors

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 Saaba Issa Gideon, representing Edu State Constituency, and Olusola Odetundun, who represents Irepodun State Constituency.

The Assembly reached the decision during Tuesday’s plenary after receiving a petition from the Kwara APC Chairman, Sunday Fagbemi, urging the lawmakers’ seats to be declared vacant in accordance with Section 109(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution.

Fagbemi argued that both lawmakers were elected on the APC platform and could not retain their seats after switching to the PDP.

He maintained that their defections did not qualify for any of the constitutional exceptions permitting lawmakers to cross to another party without forfeiting their seats, insisting that there was no division within the APC to justify the move.

Leading the debate, the House Leader, Oba Mogaji, said the Assembly was required to enforce the constitutional provision governing defection by elected legislators.

Mogaji maintained that a lawmaker could not belong to a political party other than the one that sponsored the member’s election while the tenure remained in force, adding that the two lawmakers had not only joined the PDP but were also seeking to retain their seats on the platform of the opposition party in 2027.

The motion was supported by other members, including Abolarin Gabriel of Ekiti Constituency, Ganiyu Folabi of Omupo Constituency and Adato Oguniyi of Ojomu/Balogun Constituency.

Following the debate, Speaker Yakubu Danladi-Salihu declared the two constituencies vacant, saying the decision reflected the resolution reached by the House.

The PDP, however, immediately rejected the action, describing it as an attempt by the APC to punish the lawmakers for changing political allegiance.

In a statement issued by its State Publicity Secretary, Olusegun Adewara, the opposition party questioned the procedure followed by the Assembly, particularly the fact that the process was triggered by a letter from the APC state chairman.

The PDP argued that the Assembly should not have allowed itself to become an avenue for enforcing the internal decisions of a political party.

The party challenged the lawmakers and Assembly to disclose the evidence relied upon in reaching the decision and demonstrate compliance with Section 109(2) of the Constitution before declaring the seats vacant.

While acknowledging the constitutional restriction on defection, the PDP said the provision must be applied according to law and not used selectively for political purposes.

It argued that the Constitution recognises circumstances involving division within a political party and requires evidence satisfactory to the House before the Speaker can give effect to the provision.

The party further maintained that a constitutional dispute could not be settled merely through a declaration by the political party that the lawmakers had left.

It urged the APC to test its popularity at the polls rather than use the legislature to remove elected representatives who had chosen to defect.

The PDP also appealed to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and the Speaker to ensure that the Assembly remained independent of partisan interests.

It specifically called on Danladi-Salihu, who is also the APC governorship candidate, to separate his political activities from his responsibilities as Speaker.

The party demanded an immediate reversal of the decision and said it was prepared to seek judicial interpretation of the lawmakers’ constitutional status.

Adewara said the PDP would use all lawful avenues, including litigation, to defend the rights of Odetundun, Gideon and the constituents who elected them.

The two lawmakers announced their departure from the APC in late August as political alignments intensified ahead of the 2027 elections.

Gideon cited concerns over internal democracy, fairness and inclusiveness in his resignation letter, while Odetundun said he took his decision after consultations with constituents and political stakeholders.

Odetundun said the move was intended to align his political direction with the interests of the people he represents.

Gideon’s defection also followed an earlier dispute with the Assembly leadership, which had suspended him for three months over alleged contempt. A Kwara State High Court later nullified the suspension, declaring it unconstitutional.

The latest defections came amid wider political realignments in the state, including the movement of Kwara Central Senator Saliu Mustapha from the APC to the PDP. Mustapha has since been unveiled as the PDP’s candidate for the 2027 Kwara Central senatorial election.