Declare Diri’s Seat Vacant, Kenneth Okonkwo Tells INEC

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A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Nollywood actor, Kenneth Okonkwo, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare the seat of Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, vacant following his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

PUNCH Online earlier reported that Governor Diri resigned from the PDP on Wednesday, alongside members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, amid speculation that he may be preparing to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Diri, who said his resignation was for “obvious reasons,” did not provide further details on his decision.

According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, the governor made the announcement during an expanded State Executive Council meeting at Government House, Yenagoa, which was attended by the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere, his deputy, Michael Ogbere, APGA minority leader Edward Brigidi, and seven other lawmakers.

Reacting to the development in an Instagram post on Wednesday night, Okonkwo argued that Diri had automatically vacated his seat as governor by resigning from his party and not immediately joining another.

Citing Section 177(c) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Okonkwo stated that a person is qualified for election as governor only if they are “a member of a political party and sponsored by that political party.”

He said, “Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has just vacated his seat as governor by resigning from the PDP and not belonging to any party. The position of the law is that every elected member of the government must be a member of a political party as provided in Section 177(c) of the Constitution.”

The ADC stalwart added that while an elected official could defect from one political party to another, being “partyless” at any time is unconstitutional.

“I therefore call on INEC to declare his seat vacant immediately and conduct a gubernatorial election in Bayelsa State within the next 90 days,” Okonkwo said.