Lawmakers who defected in Rivers no longer recognised by law – Dan Nwanyanwu
Dan Nwanyanwu, the Zenith Labour Party National Chairman, asserted that the 27 lawmakers from Rivers State would not return to the state legislature until they win back their seats in a new election.
He drew attention to the fact that lawmakers who willingly changed their party affiliation lost their former seats and were not allowed to reclaim them. He said that postponing the election will just make the inevitable result happen, even if INEC has been told not to act now.
He stated during an Arise TV interview, ”I agree with Wike that nobody will remove the 27 lawmakers, but they have removed themselves. They have, on their own volition, decided to leave the state assembly.”
“And I want to say without mincing words that nothing will bring back the 27 lawmakers to their seats unless another election is conducted and they emerge victorious in the election.”
He claimed that anyone who values democracy and the rule of law today would be aware that the constitution makes it quite clear that joining a different political party on your own is not permitted, even if you later decide you would like to return.
He said, “I’m aware that there are a plethora of cases, and INEC has been told not to do anything. But you see, they are just postponing the day of the election.”
“These lawmakers are no longer recognized members of the state assembly. I’m a lawyer, and most lawyers are unanimous on this matter.”
“When a law is clear and unambiguous, you don’t need to give it any strange interpretation.”
