The Nigeria Police Force has cordoned off access to the Cross River State House of Assembly sequel to the judgement of a federal high court sitting in Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, FCT, sacking 18 state legislators.
The Police Commissioner in Cross River State, Mr. Aminu Alhassan said that deployment of policemen to the Complex and surrounding was a proactive measure to prevent unscrupulous individuals from fomenting trouble.
Alhassan said, “There was a judgement yesterday in Abuja on the political ground in Calabar and the judgement was against some House of Assembly members and two others in the House of Representatives. Some people are always used to ‘helping’ themselves at times like this and we (the Police) want all things to be done orderly.
“If people are leaving, let it be orderly. We do not want any incident of theft, vandalism, destruction or disharmony. It is a proactive measure. We just took over the place to make sure we have peace, order and harmony”, the police commissioner said.
Landmark judgment
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Cross River State has described the judgement delivered by the Federal High Court, Abuja, sacking the 20 lawmakers, who defected from the party to the All Progressives Congress as a landmark judgement and victory for the electorates.
A statement signed by the Publicity Secretary of the PDP in Cross River, Mr. Mike Ojisi indicated “the judgement delivered by Justice Taiwo in suit a marked FHC/ABJ/CS/975/2021 filed by the PDP held that the defendants, having decamped from the political party that sponsored their election before the expiration of the period for which they elected have by virtue of provisions of Section 68 (1) (g) and Section 109 (1)(g) of the constitution of the federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) respectively vacated their seats and are not entitled to continue to occupy the various seats or offices into which they were elected.
“The court also made an order of mandatory injunction compelling INEC to accept from the PDP, the list of its members for the purpose of filling the vacancy created by the exit of the lawmakers.
“In view of the judgement, the People’s Democratic Party Cross River State congratulates the electorates for standing formidably with the PDP, assures them of more victories ahead,” it further stated.
Similarly, the state chairman of the PDP, Mr. Venatius Ikem urged other members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, to take advantage pf the “April Transfer” season and return to the party.
Ikem expressed optimism that the judgement of the court would be implemented and upheld by the appellate courts.
Stay of execution
Reacting, the Publicity Secretary of the APC in Cross River State, Mr. Erasmus Ekpang disclosed that his party has filed for a stay of execution and appealed the judgement.
According to Ekpang, the defendants have 90 days to wait for the outcome of the appeal, noting “even the judgement of March 21 did not say that the lawmakers should be replaced by members of the PDP. The worst scenario is the conduct of a new election after the appeal and Supreme Court time elapses.
“APC has taken the judgement in good faith and are confident of the court. But I hope if by tomorrow the Appeal Court upturns the judgement, PDP will also take it in good faith just as we are taking it now,” he said.
He urged members of the party to remain calm and avoid distraction while waiting for the verdict of the Appeal Court.
Dominica Nwabufo
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