PDP Provides Reasons Why Dogara’s Seat Should Be Declared Vacant

The People’s Democratic Party, PDP, has mounted pressure on the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, to declare the seat of Yakubu Dogara, the member representing Bogoro/Dass/Tafawa Balewa Federal Constituency, vacant, following his defection to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

The Bauchi State chapter of the party made their demand public through a letter addressed to the Speaker dated July 30, 2020, jointly signed by the legal representatives of the party, S. Rabo, J. S. Jihrin. A. S. Idris and H.S.Saraki, and made available to newsmen in Bauchi.

According to the party, the House should invoke the provisions of Section 68(1)(g) & (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) to declare Mr Dogara’s seat vacant.

“We write with esteemed compliments as the legal representatives of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) herein referred to as ‘our client to, upon its instructions and authority, forward the subject of this correspondence for your attention and necessary action”

“In the light of this, our client has briefed us that it has been formally notified by Honourable Yakubu Dogara, the member representing Dass, Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro Federal Constituency in Bauchi State and the immediate past Speaker of the House of Representatives, regarding his defection from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC). A copy of Honourable Dogara’s notification dated 24th July 2020 is hereby annexed and marked as appendix ‘A’,” the letter reads in part.

”It is against the background of the foregoing that we demand your invocation of the provisions of Section 68(1)(g) & (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) by declaring his seat vacant consequent upon his said defection within (7) working days of the receipt this notice.”

”This comes with the further notice that upon your refusal, failure or neglect to heed this demand, we shall proceed to commence legal action against you in a competent Court of law thereby bringing to the fore the import of the famous legal maxim that says: “product agit qui praecepto legis obtemperial” i.e “he sho acts prudently who obeys the command of laws” in the context of your pledge to uphold justice, the rule of law and the deepening of democratic processes as captured in your inaugural address as the Speaker of the 9th Assembly in the House of Representatives,” the letter noted.