Kwara Assembly: PDP Alleges Plot To Suspend Two Defected APC Members

…*Cautions against such an undemocratic move *

The Kwara State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has cautioned the State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, and the Speaker of the State House of Assembly and APC governorship candidate, Rt. Hon. Engineer Yakubu Danladi, against any attempt to suspend the two members of the House of Assembly who recently exercised their political freedom by leaving the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the PDP.

The two lawmakers, Hon. Olushola Odetundun, representing Irepodun State Constituency, and Hon. Saba Yisa Gideon, representing Edu State Constituency, have since joined the PDP and obtained the party’s tickets to contest the forthcoming rerun elections, following the waiver granted to them by the State Working Committee in accordance with the party’s rules.

Speaking in a statement by its State Publicity Secretary, Olusegun Olusola Adewara, the PDP said it has received reports from some quarters alleging that the Governor has directed the Speaker to commence proceedings aimed at suspending the two lawmakers simply because they have chosen to associate with the PDP.

“If true, our party considers such a move a dangerous descent into political intolerance and an unacceptable attempt to weaponise the legislature against elected representatives whose only apparent offence is the exercise of their political choice.

“We therefore advise Governor AbdulRazaq and the Speaker, in the interest of democracy and the rule of law, to put any thought or plan to use the machinery of the Kwara State House of Assembly to punish Hon. Odetundun and Hon. Saba for their political decision.

“Membership of a political party does not constitute misconduct in the discharge of legislative responsibilities. The two lawmakers remain representatives of their respective constituencies and should be allowed to perform their constitutional duties without intimidation, harassment or political persecution.

“The emergence of a pluralistic political representation in the Assembly should rather be seen as an opportunity to deepen democracy, strengthen legislative debate and restore public confidence in the institution. The PDP respects the constitutional authority of the House of Assembly to regulate its internal affairs as provided under Section 101 of the 1999 Constitution, but such authority must be exercised within the limits of the Constitution, the rule of law and the fundamental principles of representative democracy.

“It will be quite ridiculous if the proposed suspension is being contemplated merely because the two lawmakers have defected to the PDP. Such an action would amount to deploying legislative power to settle a partisan political score and, more importantly, would deprive the people of Irepodun and Edu State Constituencies of effective representation and voices on the floor of the Assembly.

“For the Speaker, who is now seeking to become Governor of Kwara State on the platform of the APC, this is an opportunity to demonstrate whether he truly understands the responsibilities that come with leadership in a democratic society. A man who aspires to govern a diverse state like Kwara must demonstrate tolerance for political dissent, respect for opposition and commitment to democratic institutions. He must not allow himself to be used as an instrument for settling the political grievances of the APC or for suffocating opposition voices within the legislature,” the statement added.

The PDP, therefore, called on the Governor and the Speaker to immediately abandon any plan to initiate or facilitate the suspension of Hon. Olushola Odetundun and Hon. Saba Yisa Gideon merely because of their membership of the PDP, saying “proceeding with such a politically motivated action will trigger a strong response from the Peoples Democratic Party, and we will deploy every lawful and constitutional means available to challenge and resist any action capable of undermining democracy and disenfranchising the people of Irepodun and Edu State Constituencies”.