PDP has threatened to drag Governor of Zamfara state, Bello Matawalle to court over his planned defection to the APC.
Gatekeepers News reports that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has hinted that it would drag Governor of Zamfara state, North-West, Nigeria, Bello Matawalle, to court over his planned defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) to retrieve its mandate.
PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, disclosed the party’s position at a press conference in Abuja, FCT.
He cautioned Matawalle, saying that his decision to leave the PDP amounts to vacating his office.
He said the PDP is watching unfolding events in Zamfara state and would explore all legitimate means to retain its mandate in the state.
He added that there is no division in the PDP in Zamfara to warrant any defection to another party.
Ologbondiyan said: “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is watching developments in Zamfara state as they concern reports of plans by the state governor, Bello Matawalle, to cross over to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“The PDP categorically cautions Bello Matawalle to know that his plans amount to a decision to vacate office as no law allows him to cross over to any other party with the governorship mandate statutorily given to the PDP through the ballot box, as already established by the provision of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the standing judgment of the Supreme Court.
“A combined reading of Section 221 of the 1999 Constitution as the pronouncements of the Supreme Court in Faleke v. INEC (2016) is clear in holding that it is the political party that stands for election, that votes scored in election belong to the political party and that the candidate nominated to contest at an election by his party, acts only as the agent of his party.
“The PDP also cautions members of the National Assembly as well as members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly, not to allow themselves to be pushed into losing their seats as the provisions of the constitution is very clear in barring lawmakers from cross carpeting, except in a situation of a division in the political party upon which platform they were elected.
“There is no division in the PDP to warrant the defection of any of our lawmakers.
“The PDP hopes that Bello Matawalle, as well as members of the National and State Assembly from Zamfara state, will take caution.”
He added that the PDP has done all that is necessary to keep their governors but those defecting lack the courage to withstand the pressure from the APC.
