A major political and constitutional crisis is brewing in Bayelsa State after a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kenneth Okonkwo, formally urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare the state governor’s seat vacant following his resignation from his political party, Angel Network News (ANN) reports.
Governor Douye Diri, previously of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), tendered his resignation from the party on Wednesday, citing only “obvious reasons” and confirming the decision was made after “extensive consultations” with state leaders. The move immediately fueled speculation that the Governor and his allies, including several members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, are set to align with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
However, the resignation has triggered a constitutional challenge from Mr. Okonkwo. In a social media post, the ADC chieftain argued that Governor Diri “has just vacated his seat as governor by resigning from the PDP and not belonging to any party.”
Mr. Okonkwo anchored his call on Section 177(c) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which mandates that a person must be “a member of a political party and is sponsored by that political party” to be qualified for election to the office of governor.
”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 1999 Constitution,” Okonkwo asserted. He further contended that an elected official “can only defect from one party to another, but cannot be partyless at any point in time.”
The demand places immediate pressure on the electoral body. Okonkwo concluded his appeal to the commission, stating: “I therefore call on INEC to declare his seat vacant immediately and conduct a gubernatorial election in Bayelsa State within the next 90 days.”
The Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, confirmed the resignation announcement was made during an expanded State Executive Council meeting. The Governor thanked supporters for their steadfastness while emphasizing his commitment to “build[ing] a strong and vibrant Bayelsa.”
