Kwara Assembly Vacates Seats Over Lawmakers' Defection

On Tuesday, the Kwara House of Assembly declared the seats of Saba Gideon from Edu Constituency and Olusola Odetundun from Irepodun Constituency vacant due to their defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). This action followed a letter from the APC State Chairman, Prince Sunday Fagbemi, to the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Salihu Danladi, requesting the declaration of the seats as vacant in accordance with Section 109 (1)(g)(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Fagbemi argued that the lawmakers were elected under the APC and that there was no division within the party justifying their defection. Mr. Abdulkadir Magaji, the Leader of the House, supported the motion, stating that the defection contravened constitutional provisions.

Other lawmakers, including Abolarin Gabriel, Ganiyu Salahu, and Oguniyi Seun, also expressed support for the motion. The Speaker subsequently declared the seats vacant as requested.