Court sacks Nigerian legislator for dumping party

JETHRO IBILEKE/Asaba

Alphonso Ojo, member of the House of Assembly of Nigeria’s oil rich Delta State was sacked today by a Federal High court in Asaba, the state capital, for changing his party affiliation.

Ojo represents Ukwuani Constituency in the Assembly and was elected in 2011 on the platform of the Democratic People’s party.

Last year, he crossed the aisle to join the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) last year, citing political uncertainty and dwindling fortunes of DPP.

The DPP and Mr. Chukwuma Dafikpaku however dragged the lawmaker before the court, claiming that his action was against the provisions of Section 109 (1) g and (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended and prayed the court to declare the seat vacant.

Also joined in the suit number FHC/ASB/CS/129/12, were Delta State House of Assembly, the Speaker of the House and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Presiding Judge of the Court, Justice C.M.A. Olatoregun-Isiola, in his ruling, granted the prayers of the plaintiffs and averred that the 2nd defendant (Speaker of the House) was “under mandatory responsibility to declare the seat of the 3rd defendant (Ojo) vacant.”

Justice Olatoregun-Ishola also ordered the 4th defendant (INEC), to immediately commence the process of conducting fresh election into the Ukwuani Constituency seat at the Delta State House of Assembly.

In his reaction to the ruling, Hon. Ojo urged his constituents to remain calm, adding that the judgment would be studied and assured that the verdict would be appealed.