The Peoples Democratic Party in Akwa Ibom State has written the Senate demanding the immediate declaration of the seat of a senator representing Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District, Godswill Akpabio, vacant. Akpabio was, until recently, the Senate minority leader, before he defected to the All Progressives Congress. The Publicity Secretary of the party in the state, Mr Ini Emembong, said the party took the decision because it was not within its purview to declare the seat of a defecting senator vacant. Emembong explained that the letter was addressed to the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, because he reserved the power to declare seats of senators vacant, as provided by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He said, “The declaration will be done on the floor of the Senate. We have made the request through a letter. We would have been taken the matter to court, but the constitution says when such a thing happens, it is the Senate President that will declare a defector’s seat vacant.” Efforts to speak with Akpabio for his reaction failed as calls to his mobile indicated that it was switched off. He was also yet to respond to a text message sent to his mobile as of the time of filling this report.]]>
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