The Digest:
ADC chieftain and Nollywood actor Kenneth Okonkwo has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to declare the seat of Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri vacant. This demand follows Governor Diri's resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party, with Okonkwo citing constitutional provisions that mandate an elected official must be a member of a political party at all times, and arguing that resignation without immediate cross-carpeting renders the seat empty.
Key Points:
- Kenneth Okonkwo has called on INEC to declare Governor Douye Diri's seat vacant.
- The demand follows Diri's resignation from the PDP on Wednesday.
- Okonkwo cited Section 177(c) of the 1999 Constitution, which requires membership in a political party.
- He argued that an elected official cannot be "partyless" and must defect directly from one party to another.
- Governor Diri resigned for "obvious reasons" but has not yet announced a new party.
- Okonkwo demands a new gubernatorial election in Bayelsa within 90 days.
- The governor's deputy was absent from the resignation announcement, and his status is unclear.
Sources: Nigerian Tribune
