From PAUL OSUYI, Asaba
A Federal High Court in Asaba, Delta State yesterday sacked the member representing Ukwuani constituency at the Delta State House of Assembly, Mr. Alphonsus Ojo for political party carpet crossing. Ojo was elected to represent his constituency at the April 26, 2011 election on the platform of the Democratic Peoples’ Party (DPP) but decamped to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) last year. He had claimed that the DPP was experiencing dwindling political fortunes due to alleged crisis as at the time he jumped ship.
But the DPP and Mr. Chukwuma Dafikpaku dragged the lawmaker before the court, claiming that his action was against the provisions of Section 109 (1) g and (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended and prayed the court to declare the seat vacant. In suit number FHC/ASB/CS/129/12, the Delta State House of Assembly, the Speaker of the House and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were joined as defendants.
Delivering judgment, the court presided over by Justice C.M.A. Olatoregun-Isiola granted the prayers of the plaintiffs and averred that the second defendant (Speaker of the House) was “under mandatory responsibility to declare the seat of the 3rd defendant (Ojo) vacant.”The court also directed the 4th defendant (INEC) to immediately commence the process of conducting fresh election into the Ukwuani constituency seat at the Delta State House of Assembly. Reacting to the judgment, Mr. Ojo urged his constituents to remain calm, adding that the judgment would be studied and that the verdict would be appealed.
serves him right.
Ungrateful poltician
It is only for the record. The judgment may fail at the higher court of appeal. This type of case has gone through the court process before and it failed. However, the DPP has no chance of getting back the seat as long as Uduagha wants to please his party, PDP.
What are you appealing for? You vowed not to eat the chicken in your life and same time desirous to enjoy its eggs, is that proper? You must hate or avoid all mr man.
Naiga Judiciary.Una Gd morng.ooo It said that wen ever some one gets up from d bed is her/her Gd morng.By this bold action by one of urs in Asaba Delta State,which ve sent out, one out of the many inconsquent ial Prostitutes,marudn as politicians,such as Mr Alphonsus Ojo,who won his seat on the platform of DPP,to represent Ukwuani people in the Delta house of Assy,but latter decamped to the PDP. With this land mark Judjement by this bold Judge,I call on the parties that have lost any of its member s’through this acts of prostitutio n and treachery to immediately begin legal procedings against them with a to reclaiming their parties stolen mandat es from dis shameless crooks and thiefs’in Nigeria.Naiga under the rave of this lady, Amazon Chief Justice of Nigeria are in to wtness true Democrac y in Action through subsquent Judiciary land mark prounceme nts.Madam all Naiga people are behind you,NA U Biko!!!
The same court should declare the sit of the governor T.A Orji of Abia State because he was elected in the platform of PPA but switched over to PDP and now he is cousing series of troubles idm Abia and South East wen he sacked non indigene of Abians who are the Civil Servant in Abia State
Cross carpetting after election does not strenghten opposition in Nig. if the judgment is upheld by the appeal court it will curb the excesses of politicians who think the only way to win election is to join a popular party. just do well and your people will vote you in.
Great judgement! The greater judgement lies in the ability of the electoral to seal that politician’s faith by retiring him from politics.