Lawmaker Loses Seat After Defecting From PDP To APC

For crossing from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), a Federal High Court in Uyo has sacked Mr Idongesit Ituen, the lawmaker representing Itu State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly.

The Court sacked Ituen on Wednesday, less than two months after he filed a suit before the court to stop the House Speaker, Onofiok Luke, from declaring his seat vacant.

The ousted lawmaker had named the Speaker, the PDP, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), amongst others, as defendants in the suit.

But the Speaker however filed a counterclaim, seeking for “a declaration that having defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress before the expiration of the tenure of four years for which he was elected to serve, Hon. Idongesit Ntuen has lost his seat in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly.

“An order of court directing Hon Idongesit Ituen to vacate the Itu State Constituency seat in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly with immediate effect.

“An order of court restraining the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly or any other person acting on his behalf (including the staff of the House of Assembly) from further recognising Hon. Idongesit Ituen as a member of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly.

“An order of court directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately conduct a bye-election to fill the vacant seat of Itu State Constituency at the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly.”

In his ruling, Justice by F. O. Riman upheld the Speaker’s counterclaim and declared vacant Ituen’s seat.