Politics

Damagun writes INEC to conduct by-election for 27 vacant Rivers assembly seats

Published

1 year ago

November 26, 2024

IIiya Umar Damagum

Damagun writes INEC to conduct by-election for 27 vacant Rivers assembly seats

Few days after governors on the platform of the Peoples Democracy Party (PDP) handed down an ultimatum for things to change in the party, the Acting National Chairman of the party, Umar Damagun has moved against the FCT Minister and his loyal lawmakers, the 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Damagun in a letter addressed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) dated 13th November 2024 and released on Sunday by the spokesperson of the Opposition Lawmakers Coalition, Ikenga Ugochinyere urged the electoral umpire to conduct a bye-election to fill up the 27 seats, they vacated to join the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Wike has been accused of being behind the crisis in the PDP over his disagreement with the Rivers State governor, Sim Fubara, his successor.

The crisis which started over control of resources divided the party in the state with 27 lawmakers in the state assembly siding Wike and defected to the APC following Wike’s acceptance to serve in the government of the APC.

He has also been accused of working in cahoots with Damagun to damage the PDP by not organising the National Executive Committee which would lead to the acting Chairman’s ouster.

After a series of agitation, the latest being from the PDP Governors’ Forum over the weekend, Damagun has demanded that INEC conduct elections as soon as possible, apparently moving against the FCT minister.

He argued in letter titled, ‘DEMAND FOR IMMEDIATE CONDUCT OF FRESH ELECTION IN 27 STATE CONSTITUENCIES OF RIVERS STATE WHICH HAVE BECOME VACANT PURSUANT TO SECTION 109(1)(g) OF THE CONSTITUTION’ that it’s “unlawful” for the 27 members to defect.

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The members defected to the APC on December 11, 2023.

Damagun said, going by provisions of the Constitution, the lawmakers are no longer members of the Assembly.

The PDP acting chairman therefore urged the Commission to perform its constitutional duties and begin the process of conducting fresh elections to fill the vacancies created in the 27 state constituencies by the unlawful act of the former Assembly members.

Parts of the letter read, “The Leadership of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) wishes to draw the attention of the Commission to the gross violation of Section 109 (1)(g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) by 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly following their unlawful defection from our Party, the PDP who sponsored their elections to the All Progressive Congress (APC) on Monday, December 11, 2023.

“The Commission may recall that our Party, the PDP nominated all our 32 State House of Assembly candidates in Rivers State for the 2023 General Election on the 7th of July 2022 via your electronic candidate election nomination portal (See attached acknowledgement).

“The Commission may also recall that following the nomination, the Commission conducted election into the Rivers State House of Assembly on the 18th of March, 2023 and our Party won 32 seats in the state Assembly. The elected State House of Assembly members were inaugurated and sworn-in on June, 2023.

“However, on Monday, 11 December, 2023 a period of just six (6) months after inauguration, 27 out of the 32 members publicly announced their defection from our Party to the All Progressive Congress (APC). This defection is a gross violation of Section 109(1)(g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As amended).

“The only two grounds of division and merger provided for in the Constitution that permit such defection are completely non-existent in our political Party. It therefore means that the defections of the 27 members are without lawful excuse and these members have vacated their seats in the Rivers State House of Assembly by the operations of Section 109(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution.

“In view of the foregoing, we hereby demand that the Commission performs its constitutional duties and begin the process of conducting a Fresh Election to fill the vacancies created in the 27 State Constituencies by the unlawful act of the Assembly members. Find attached the list of the 27 State Assembly Members and their Constituencies.

“While thanking the Commission for its commitment to deepening democracy in our country, please accept the assurances of our highest regards.”

Damagun writes INEC to conduct by-election for 27 vacant Rivers assembly seats

Related Topics:by-election Damagun INEC Rivers Assembly

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Osun 2026 APC Governorship Primary: Seven Aspirants Withdraw, Endorse Oyebamiji

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December 10, 2025

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Bola Oyebamiji

Osun 2026 APC Governorship Primary: Seven Aspirants Withdraw, Endorse Oyebamiji

The race for the Osun 2026 APC governorship ticket has taken a major turn as seven aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have withdrawn from the primary election and endorsed Bola Oyebamiji as the consensus candidate.

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The decision followed a strategic meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa on Wednesday, where party unity and the need to avoid a divided primary dominated discussions. After the engagement, the aspirants agreed to back Oyebamiji to strengthen the party’s chances ahead of the 2026 Osun governorship election.

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Those who stepped down include former Deputy Governor Benedict Olugboyega Alabi, Dotun Babayemi, Akin Ogunbiyi, Senator Babajide Omoworare, Kunle Adegoke (SAN), Babatunde Haketer Oralusi, and Mulikat Abiola Jimoh. Their withdrawal comes amid heightened calls from senior APC stakeholders urging a united front to prevent internal crises.

However, the absence of former APC National Secretary Iyiola Omisore at the meeting raised further questions. Omisore, recently disqualified from the primary — a decision he dismissed as “a joke” — has been at the centre of growing tensions within the party.

Party insiders say the endorsement of a consensus candidate is intended to streamline preparations, reduce litigation risks, and project stability as the APC positions itself to reclaim Osun State.

Osun 2026 APC Governorship Primary: Seven Aspirants Withdraw, Endorse Oyebamiji

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Accord Clears Adeleke as Sole Aspirant for Osun Governorship Primary

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December 10, 2025

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Accord Clears Adeleke as Sole Aspirant for Osun Governorship Primary

The screening committee of Accord has cleared Governor Ademola Adeleke to contest in the party’s gubernatorial primary scheduled for today in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.

In a statement, Ibe Thankgod, chairman of the screening committee and national organising secretary of the party, said Adeleke emerged as the sole aspirant after meeting all requirements for nomination.

“The committee subsequently cleared Governor Adeleke as the sole aspirant for the party’s governorship ticket and concluded all required documentations with relevant bodies,” the statement read.

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Olawale Rasheed, spokesperson to the governor, confirmed the development, noting that Adeleke has been presented with a certificate of clearance.

He added that the governor has assured the party of his readiness to fly the Accord flag responsibly and secure victory in the 2026 Osun governorship election.

Adeleke officially joined Accord on Tuesday, days after resigning from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He said the move was driven by the need to sustain his administration’s “delivery of good governance and democratic dividends,” which he claims have received both local and international commendation.

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APC Gubernatorial Delegate Congress Committee Arrives in Osun State Ahead of Elections

Published

2 days ago

December 10, 2025

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APC Gubernatorial Delegate Congress Committee Arrives in Osun State Ahead of Elections

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Gubernatorial Delegate Congress Committee has officially arrived in Osun State to oversee preparations for the upcoming gubernatorial election.

Committee chairman Sheu Umar Dange met with Tajudeen Lawal, state executive council leader, and local government APC chairpersons at the party secretariat along the Osogbo-Gbongan Road on Tuesday.

Dange assured stakeholders that the committee would carry out its duties impartially and in accordance with established APC guidelines. “We are ready to conduct the delegate congresses in all 332 wards in the state. Our activities will be conducted without bias, and we welcome any complaints to address them fairly,” he stated.

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The committee’s primary role is to supervise the ward-level delegate congresses that will select delegates for the forthcoming gubernatorial election. Chiedu Eluemunoh, secretary of the Congress Committee, emphasized that only revalidated APC members would be eligible to vote, and an Appeal Committee will handle complaints starting December 10, 2025.

Eluemunoh added that all ad-hoc personnel required for the smooth conduct of the ward congresses are already in place and encouraged members to present any challenges during the process.

Welcoming the committee, Tajudeen Lawal assured that the State Working Committee would provide all necessary support to facilitate the successful conduct of the delegate congresses, which are crucial for strengthening the APC ahead of the Osun gubernatorial election.

The arrival of the committee marks a key step in the party’s preparations as it seeks to maintain unity and transparency in selecting delegates across the state.

APC Gubernatorial Delegate Congress Committee Arrives in Osun State Ahead of Elections