The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticised the latest defection announcement by some members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, describing their move as a “redefection” and a further demonstration of political inconsistency.
In a statement issued on Saturday by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the party said it had watched reports across media platforms showing that certain lawmakers—who had previously announced their exit from the PDP before later recanting—had again declared their defection.
According to the statement, the affected lawmakers have “shown that they are political puppets and a clog in the wheels of democratic progress,” insisting that their actions since assuming office have exposed them as individuals “doing the bidding of their paymaster and demigod.”
The PDP argued that the situation amounted to an absurd political drama. “So the easiest way to describe their action is a defection from APC to APC,” the party said, adding that the lawmakers’ conduct would be remembered as one that “made mockery of the legislature.”
Ememobong disclosed that the party would now explore lawful measures to reclaim the mandate given to the lawmakers under the PDP banner. “Consequently, the @OfficialPDPNig will take legal steps to activate the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999 as amended) to recover the mandate gained under the benner of our party which these people have now ignobly and surreptitiously switched to another platform,” he stated.
The party urged its members in Rivers State to stay united amid the ongoing political uncertainty.
“We urge all party members in Rivers State to remain faithful and resolute, as efforts are underway to rebuild the party along the path of inclusiveness, fairness and equity,” the statement added.