A federal High Court sitting in Abuja has slammed speculations that it would sack Governor Ben Ayade of Cross Rivers state and His Deputy, Ivara Esu over their defection from the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to All Progressive Congress (APC). Justice Taiwo Taiwo has today held that there is no provision in the constitution backing the removal of a Governor, Deputy or President, and Vice President who cross-carpet to another party.
The PDP through its counsel, Emmanuel Ukala (SAN) has argued that Governor Ayade and his Deputy cannot transfer the votes cast in favor of the PDP after dumping the party to APC.
However, the APC counsel, Mike Ozeokhome(SAN), prayed to the High court to dismiss the suit as it lacked the power to sack a defecting Governor and his Deputy.
He argued that the ruling of the supreme court in Atiku’s case has settled the matter.
Justice Taiwo, therefore, throw his weight behind the submission that though defection was immoral, there is no constitutional clause that would back the sacking of any defecting Governor into another party as it is applicable to lawmakers in section 68(g) of the Nigerian constitution.
The court has earlier sacked 20 lawmakers, comprising 18 members of Cross Rivers State House of Assembly and Two members of House of Reps to vacate their seats following their defection from the PDP to APC alongside the governor in the state.
