Nigeria: Sagay, David-West, Aturu Flay PDP's Declaration of Rivers House Seats Vacant
Prominent civil rights activists, yesterday, described as laughable and illegal the decision of the new executive of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Rivers State to declare the seats of 27 members of the House of Assembly vacant.
Besides, the combatants in Rivers State were warned that their actions could pose a danger to the nation's democracy given what was described as the reckless abuse of due procedure.
Among those who spoke were leading constitutional lawyer, Prof. Itse Sagay, SAN, erstwhile Minister of Petroleum Affairs, Prof. Tam David-West, leading civil rights activist, Bamidele Aturu and member of the House of Representatives, Peterside Dakuku.
They were in agreement that the PDP state executive lacked the power to declare the seats of the 27 members in the House of Assembly vacant
Responding, Prof. Sagay said the suspension by the party in the state did not bar the lawmakers from carrying out their legislative functions, describing the action as an act of intimidation on those perceived to be against the president's re-election plans.
He said: "It does not affect their status as legislators. It has absolutely no effect at all. All that happened is that, if the suspension remains, they cannot be sponsored in any election by the PDP."
Affirming that the members were not in any way threatened by the suspension, he said: "The whole thing is part of the intimidation to terrorise anyone who is seen not to support the president's second term ambition. I don't think this sort of tactics is going to get us anywhere".
Speaking on the development, Prof. David-West said: "I have been following this issue for some time and what is happening in Rivers State should distress any responsible Rivers person or Nigerian. Governor Amaechi has not done any wrong that we know, if he has done any wrong, let them come up with it.
"He is doing very well in Rivers State and he is popular. Now, the question is: Can the state executive suspend elected members and declare their seats vacant? That should be done by the Central Working Committee of the party after proper investigation. This is causing unnecessary destabilization in Rivers State because Amaechi is doing well."
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