The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday said it has officially informed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of the 25 vacant seats in the Rivers House of Assembly.

Recall that 27 lawmakers loyal to the immediate past governor of the state, Nyesom Wike, on Monday defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), but two of the lawmakers have since returned to the PDP.

The PDP National Working Committee (NWC) in a statement asked the electoral body to conduct elections in the affected constituencies which were declared vacant by the Edison Ehie-led Assembly, which was recognized by the court as the authentic Assembly.

The party cited section 109 (1) of the constitution which provides grounds upon which a lawmaker can lose his seat in the parliament.

The PDP after its meeting on Wednesday said inter alia:

“That the Party communicates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by formally informing the Commission of the vacancies in the Rivers State House of Assembly as a result of the defection of the 25 now former members, who by virtue of Section 109 (1)(g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) vacated their seats by their action,” the statement reads.

“That the Party officially demand that INEC should within the Constitutionally stipulated time, conduct fresh election in the 25 State Constituencies in Rivers State where vacancies now exist in the Rivers State House of Assembly as a result of the defection of the 25 now former members.

“Direct the National Legal Adviser to commence appropriate legal action with respect to the declaration of the seats of the 25 defected former members vacant and the conduct of fresh election into the 25 State Constituencies in Rivers State in accordance with the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).

“Every step necessary available in a democracy to ensure that the votes and mandate of the people of the 25 State Constituencies in Rivers State are protected and not appropriated under any circumstance whatsoever”.

The defection on Monday which caused a political tremor in Rivers state was one in series of skirmishes that rocked the state Assembly since October when the cold war between Wike and the incumbent Governor Sim Fubara came to the open.