Kwara Assembly Declares Two Lawmakers’ Seats Vacant After APC-to-PDP Defection

The Kwara State House of Assembly has declared the seats of Saba Gideon, representing Edu Constituency, and Olusola Odetundun of Irepodun Constituency vacant following their defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The decision followed a request from the Kwara State APC Chairman, Sunday Fagbemi, who wrote to the Speaker of the House, Salihu Yakubu-Danladi, seeking the vacation of the two seats under Section 109(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution.

Fagbemi argued that both lawmakers were elected on the APC platform and could not constitutionally defect to another party because, according to the party, there was no division within the APC that would justify their move.

Leading the debate on the request, House Leader Abdulkadir Magaji cited Section 109(1)(g), which provides grounds for a state legislator to lose their seat after defecting from the political party that sponsored their election, subject to the constitutional exceptions.

Magaji said Gideon and Odetundun had not only moved from the APC to the PDP but were also seeking re-election to their respective constituencies under the opposition party. He argued that the development was inconsistent with the constitutional provision relied upon by the Assembly.

Other lawmakers, including Abolarin Gabriel of Ekiti Constituency, Ganiyu Salahu of Omupo Constituency and Oguniyi Seun of Ojomu/Balogun Constituency, supported the request to declare the seats vacant.

Following the debate, Speaker Salihu Yakubu-Danladi formally declared the seats representing Edu and Irepodun constituencies vacant.

The development adds a fresh political dimension to the ongoing realignment ahead of the 2027 elections, as defections between Nigeria’s major political parties continue to trigger disputes over the constitutional status of elected lawmakers.