PDP Must Sue Governors Umahi, Ayade For Joining APC – Wike

Nyesom Wike, the Governor of Rivers State, has called on the Peoples Democratic Party to suit David Umahi and Ben Ayade, the Governors of Ebonyi and Cross River States, respectively, for defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In November 2020, Umahi joined the APC, while Ayade defected in May 2021.

Shortly after them, the Governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle, also defected from the PDP to the APC.

The PDP has filed a suit against Matawalle to challenge him for remaining governor after the defection, but no decision has been taken against Umahi and Ayade yet.

Wike, in a statement issued on Saturday by his spokesperson, Kelvin Ebiri, said the time has come for the judiciary to take a position against political defections, “with no constitutional reason”.

“The time has come that the judiciary must have to rise to the occasion to make a final pronouncement on this issue of defection, and that will go a long way to strengthen our democracy.

“Because if we do not take action, you will find a situation where you will have a one party sate and that will not be good for our democracy.

“And so, I have encouraged the PDP. They must file a suit against the Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, and the Governor of Cross River State, Ben Ayade, for defecting to APC without any reason provided in the constitution or any other enabling law.

“What PDP is looking for is not just that they want to reclaim the seats, but that a pronouncement must be made by the judiciary on this incessant defection without no reasons at all, in order to enhance and strength our democracy,” Wike was quoted to have said.