APC has ‘legal right’ to seek declaration of defectors’ seats vacant— Lai

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has hinted at the possibility that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) will challenge the decision of some erstwhile members of the party to defect to opposition parties in court.

He also said the lack of discipline at the National Assembly was affecting governance in the country.

According to the minister, it is affecting the smooth relationship that should have existed between the executive and the legislative arms of government.

The minister, who stated this in an interview on Channels Television on Saturday, adding that the All Progressives Congress (APC) reserves the right to challenge those who defected from the ruling party in court to have their seats declared vacant.

It will be recalled that scores of members of the National Assembly, including the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, three governors and members of state Houses of Assembly have defected from the ruling party to the opposition.

Mohammed said in the interview, “I still believe that the party (APC) reserves the legal right to actually challenge any of them and ask for their seats to be declared vacant.

“All you have seen from the beginning – R-APC, Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) were laying the foundation for the defection,” he added.

Read also: Saraki betraying the legacy of his father— Sen Adamu

Mohammed also insisted that the leadership of the National Assembly frustrated efforts to ensure unity within the party.

He added, “The leadership of the National Assembly destroyed party cohesion the moment they chose to go against the wishes of the party in the election of NASS principal officers.

“It is no longer a secret that the manner at which the Senate President emerged was not to the liking of the part as a whole.

“I still remember clearly that the major leaders of the party were waiting to meet at the National Conference Center in Abuja for Mr President when we heard that the Senate President had emerged.”

 

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