The National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagum, has declared that the only path forward for the 25 defected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly is to contest fresh elections.
Speaking at a press briefing, Damagum explained that the lawmakers automatically lost their seats after officially announcing their defection on the Assembly floor.
He emphasized that there was no division within the party at the time of their defection, making the lawmakers fully aware of the legal consequences of their decision.
The former Speaker of the Assembly subsequently declared their seats vacant, affirming that they were no longer recognized as members of the legislative body.