The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has warned Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State as well as other political office holders elected on the platform against defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The PDP stated that Matawalle should be ready to vacate his seat if he dumps the party, threatening a mega lawsuit against the Governor.
The New Diplomat had reported that plans are underway for a mega rally to be held by the Zamfara State chapter of the APC to welcome the Governor alongside some other prominent politicians in the state.
Reacting to the Matawalle’s defection to APC, the opposition party said: “No law allows him to cross over to any other party with the governorship mandate statutorily given to the PDP through the ballot box.”
Recall that PDP has been witnessing a disturbing trend in the past few months. Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State and Governor Ben Ayade of Cross Rivers are among prominent politicians that have dumped the PDP for the ruling APC.
Meanwhile, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, who reacted in a statement also cautioned members of the National Assembly, as well as members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly against dumping the party.
Also, PDP in the statement announced the dissolution of the Zamfara State Executive of the party.
The statement reads, “The PDP is watching developments in Zamfara State as they concern reports of plans by the state governor, Bello Matawalle, to cross over to the APC.
“The PDP categorically cautions Matawalle to know that his plans amount to a decision to vacate office as no law allows him to cross over to any other party with the governorship mandate statutorily given to the PDP through the ballot box, as already established by the provision of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the standing judgment of the Supreme Court.
“A combined reading of Section 221 of the 1999 Constitution as the pronouncements of the Supreme Court in Faleke v. INEC (2016) is clear in holding that it is the political party that stands for election, that votes scored in election belong to the political party and that the candidate nominated to contest at an election by his party, acts only as the agent of his party.
“The PDP also cautions members of the National Assembly as well as members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly, not to allow themselves to be pushed into losing their seats as the provisions of the constitution is very clear in barring lawmakers from cross carpeting, except in a situation of a division in the political party upon which platform they were elected.
“There is no division in the PDP to warrant the defection of any of our lawmakers.
“The PDP hopes that Matawalle as well as members of the National and State Assembly from Zamfara State will take caution.
“Meanwhile, the National Working Committee (NWC) has approved the dissolution of the Zamfara State Executive of the party. The decision is in line with the provision of Section 29 (2)(b) of the PDP Constitution 2017 (as amended).
“All party leaders, critical stakeholders and teeming members of our party in Zamfara state should, by this, be guided accordingly.”
