PDP Rejects Kwara Assembly’s Declaration of Two Lawmakers’ Seats Vacant

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State has rejected the decision of the State House of Assembly to declare the seats of Saaba Gideon and Olusola Odetundun vacant after their defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the PDP.

The party described the action as politically motivated and questioned the process used by the Assembly to reach the decision.

In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Olusegun Adewara, the PDP faulted the use of a letter from the APC State Chairman, Sunday Fagbemi, to initiate the process.

The party argued that the constitutional issue should be determined on the basis of evidence and due process, rather than a political party’s position on the defection of its former members.

The PDP urged the Assembly to make public the evidence relied upon and demonstrate compliance with Section 109(2) of the 1999 Constitution, which requires satisfactory evidence before a lawmaker’s seat can be declared vacant.

It also called on the Speaker, Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, and Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to protect the independence of the legislature and ensure that the Assembly does not become an instrument of partisan politics.

The party said it would use every lawful and constitutional means, including legal action, to defend the rights of Gideon, Odetundun and their constituents.

The two lawmakers recently defected from the APC to the PDP amid growing political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections.