EFFURUN, DELTA STATE – The Member representing Okpe/Sapele/Uvwie Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Benedict Etanabene, has called on lawmakers who recently defected from their parties to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to vacate their seats in line with constitutional provisions and the Electoral Act.
Etanabene made the call during a media parley held Monday at the Labour Party Secretariat in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State. He described the continued occupation of legislative seats by decamped Senators and Representatives as a gross violation of the Nigerian Constitution, and an affront to the rule of law.
“The constitution is very clear on this matter. There are laid down processes for a lawmaker to decamp legally. Unfortunately, many of my colleagues flagrantly violate these provisions for selfish interests, desperate to retain their seats at all costs,” Etanabene stated.
He emphasized that while freedom of association is guaranteed by the constitution, the Electoral Act sets specific conditions for elected legislators who wish to change parties.
According to him, “A legislator who defects from the party under which he or she was elected must vacate the seat, unless the political party is facing a division that makes it impossible to function—such as not having a registered national office or recognized leadership.
“In the absence of such conditions, the law is straightforward—the seat becomes vacant automatically. It does not require a court ruling or a pronouncement by the Speaker. It is an immediate constitutional trigger,” he said.
Democracy at Risk
Etanabene warned that the recent wave of defections threatens the integrity of Nigeria’s democracy.
“The constant cross-carpeting of politicians from one party to another has diminished the credibility expected of public office holders. It is both morally and legally wrong, and it’s a sign of democratic decline, not growth,” he lamented.
He expressed concern over the erosion of separation of powers, accusing the executive of attempting to dominate the legislative and judicial arms of government.
“In Nigeria, once someone becomes President, the first tendency is to annex the functions of other organs of government. They try to collapse everything into the Executive’s control,” Etanabene said.
He argued that true separation of powers fosters national development, but in Nigeria, the legislative arm has been reduced to a rubber stamp.
“The President controls the National Assembly, while Governors control the State Houses of Assembly. How can we boast of an independent legislature in such a system? Where is the separation of powers, which is the cornerstone of any democracy?” he queried.
He also criticized attempts by the ruling party and state executives to manipulate even opposition party leadership structures within the legislature.
“Every President and Governor wants to install Speakers and legislative leaders of their choice. Even in opposition parties, they try to influence the emergence of ‘cooperative’ minority leaders. This undermines democracy,” he added.
A Call for a New Democratic Model
Etanabene further argued that Nigeria may need to rethink its model of democracy to suit its peculiar political realities.
“As Africans, particularly as Nigerians, we are neither psychologically nor mentally prepared for this form of capitalist democracy. It is high time we designed a system that reflects our unique sociopolitical context,” he concluded.
