PDP Drags Ibori’s Daughter, Erhiatake To Court

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State has initiated legal proceedings against Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, the Honourable Member representing Ethiope Federal Constituency, following her recent defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The PDP is seeking a court order to declare Ibori-Suenu’s seat vacant at the Federal High Court in Warri, in a case filed under suit No: FHC/WR/CS/126. The party, led by its legal team headed by Ayo Asala, SAN, is praying the court to interpret Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution, which deals with defections, and declare that her seat should be vacated as a result of her political switch.

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The lawsuit names Ibori-Suenu, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the House of Representatives itself, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as defendants.

The PDP’s legal action seeks the following reliefs:

1.A declaration that Ibori-Suenu, having defected from the PDP (her sponsoring party) to the APC, should vacate her seat under Section 68(1)(g) of the Constitution.

2.A declaration that the Speaker, the House of Representatives, and INEC are constitutionally obligated to declare her seat vacant due to her defection.

3.An order declaring the Ethiope East/West Federal Constituency seat vacant and instructing Ibori-Suenu to immediately vacate her seat.

4.A permanent injunction preventing Ibori-Suenu from representing the constituency or performing any legislative duties, as her defection has rendered her seat vacant.

5.An order directing INEC to conduct a by-election to fill the vacancy created by her defection.

6.An order requiring Ibori-Suenu to refund all salaries, allowances, and other benefits she received as a member of the House of Representatives since her defection.

According to the PDP, their aims is to enforce constitutional provisions on defections and safeguard the integrity of legislative representation in the National Assembly.