Clark urges INEC to conduct by-elections for 27 Assembly vacant seats
Amid the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has visited Governor Siminalayi Fubara and confirmed him as the party’s leader in the state.
The NWC stated this during a closed-door meeting with the governor at the Government House, Port Harcourt, on Wednesday night.
They also celebrated the recent Rivers State High Court judgment presided over by Justice Stephen Jumbo that nullified the purported PDP congresses in the state and commended Fubara for committing to restoring stability in the ruling party against forces of destabilisation.
The National Treasurer of the PDP, Ahmed Yayari Mohammed, affirmed the party’s satisfaction with the governor as leader of the party in the state.
The Guardian gathered that the PDP NWC visit to the governor, who is the Deputy Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, was part of the consultative meetings with party leaders and governors elected on the party’s platform to exchange ideas and explore ways to reposition the party ahead of 2027 general elections.
On the fallouts of the Port Harcourt meeting, Mohammed said, in line with the party’s policy, sitting governors are automatic leaders of the party in their respective states.
The PDP treasurer explained: “There was a court ruling that dissolved the purported party congresses held in the state (Rivers), and other leaders were appointed to pioneer affairs of the party.
“We came to appreciate the doggedness of Fubara in ensuring that the PDP becomes stabilised and focused in Rivers State.”
MEANWHILE, Niger Delta elder statesman, Edwin Clark, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately conduct by-elections for 27 vacant seats in the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The vacancies arose following the defection of lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in contravention of constitutional provisions.
In an open letter dated January 21, 2025, Clark criticised INEC for its failure to act, accusing the commission of neglecting its constitutional responsibility.
He invoked Section 109 (1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution, which mandates the loss of legislative seats when members switch parties without just cause.
Clark also drew attention to the protracted political crisis in Rivers State, triggered by a fallout between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, shortly after the 2023 gubernatorial elections.
He described the defections as a blatant disregard for the Constitution, calling for the prosecution of the defecting lawmakers for perjury and illegal occupancy of legislative seats.
“The Constitution is supreme and binding on everyone. INEC must rise above political influence and restore representation to the affected constituencies,” Clark stated, adding that the failure to act undermines Nigeria’s democratic fabric.
