The Action Democratic Party (ADP) has called on the leadership of the Nigerian Senate to ensure the uniform enforcement of constitutional provisions governing political defections by members of the National Assembly.

In a statement issued on Sunday by its National Chairman, Yabagi Yusuf Sani, the party expressed concern over remarks reportedly made by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, suggesting the possible declaration of the seat of Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe vacant over alleged defection.

According to the party, Section 68(1)(g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) clearly states that a member of the National Assembly must vacate their seat if they become a member of another political party before the end of their tenure, except in cases of division or merger within their original party.

The ADP noted that the provision has been affirmed in several judicial pronouncements, including the Supreme Court rulings in Amaechi v. INEC (2007) and Abegunde v. Ondo State House of Assembly (2015), which established that electoral mandates belong to political parties rather than individual candidates.

The party also referenced the case of Senator Pam Nwadkon Dachungyang, who was elected on the platform of the ADP to represent Plateau North Senatorial District but later defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to the ADP, the defection occurred despite the absence of any internal crisis, division, or merger within the party, circumstances which the Constitution recognises as exceptions.

The party therefore urged the Senate leadership to apply the constitutional provision consistently, warning that selective enforcement could undermine public confidence in the legislature.

“The Constitution is not partisan. It is supreme,” the statement read, adding that Nigeria’s democracy requires the law to be applied without bias or political consideration.

Plateau State High Court sitting in Jos has nullified the two-year tenure previously assigned to elected local government chairmen in the state, ruling that it is inconsistent with the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution.

Delivering the judgment, Chief Judge Justice David Mann held that the two-year tenure stipulated under Plateau State laws and regulations of the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) contradicts Section 7(1) of the 1999 Constitution.

The court ruled that elected local government chairmen must instead serve a four-year tenure, aligning with constitutional provisions that guarantee a democratic and stable local government system.

Justice Mann also referenced the 2024 Supreme Court ruling on local government autonomy, which affirmed that elected council chairmen and councillors across Nigeria should have a uniform four-year tenure.

Reacting to the judgment, Plateau State Attorney-General Philemon Daffi welcomed the decision, stating that it provides clarity and resolves lingering disputes over the tenure of local government officials in the state.

Similarly, counsel to the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Plateau State, Madueke Okofor, described the ruling as a positive development that strengthens democratic governance at the grassroots level.

Fresh reconciliation efforts are underway within the Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), particularly in the Edo South Senatorial District, as party leaders and stakeholders intensify consultations aimed at restoring unity.

In a statement issued on March 14, former state Publicity Secretary of the party, Chris Osa Nehikhare, said concerned leaders and party faithful had begun a series of engagements designed to rebuild cohesion within the PDP after recent internal disagreements.

According to the statement, the reconciliation move started with a meeting between party stakeholders and a founding leader of the PDP in Edo State, where appeals were made for leadership to guide a structured reconciliation process across the Edo South district.

Nehikhare noted that the initiative was aimed at bringing together the various factions within the party and creating a platform for open dialogue that would allow members to resolve their differences and move forward with a united voice.

He said the reconciliation drive has since gained momentum, with several follow-up meetings attracting more party leaders and members committed to rebuilding the party’s strength and internal unity.

The statement added that contacts had already been established with key figures across different tendencies within the party, opening channels of communication and encouraging constructive engagement among stakeholders.

Nehikhare also said the ongoing discussions were being conducted with respect for the directive of the Court of Appeal and with a commitment to political maturity during what he described as a critical period for the party.

While acknowledging that some members had defected to other political platforms amid recent disputes, he expressed optimism that the reconciliation process would create the environment for renewed dialogue and possibly encourage some members to return to the PDP.

He further urged party leaders in Edo Central and Edo North Senatorial Districts to adopt similar dialogue-based reconciliation efforts in order to rebuild a stronger and more united PDP across the state.