PDP Writes INEC To Declare Rep Nkwonta’s Seat Vacant For Defection

The Abia State’s chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has written to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) calling for the seat of Chris Nkwonta, the lawmaker representing Ukwa East and Ukwa West in the House of Representatives to be declared vacant.

This followed Chris Nkwonta‘s defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday on the floor of the House.

A statement released by Jude Ndukwe, Media Adviser to the PDP Caretaker Committee in Abia, also asked INEC to conduct a new election within the constitutionally stipulated time to replace the defected member.

The PDP argued that Nkwonta did not meet the provisions of the law leading to his defection to the APC.

Ndukwe added that there was no internal issue in the state’s PDP and even at the federal level for Knwonta to justify his abuse of the law.

Ndukwe, in the statement, said, “This call on INEC is for the electoral body to comply with the provisions of Section 68(1)(g) & (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) since Hon. Nkwonta’s defection did not meet the conditions precedent to the defection of a federal lawmaker as provided for by our laws.

However, a former Chief of Staff in the state, Don Ubani, who is a member of PDP from the Ukwa-East and Ukwa-West Federal constituency, said the defection of Nkwonta was in line with the decision of the party’s chieftain in the constituency.