By Atoyebi Nike
A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress and Nollywood actor, Kenneth Okonkwo, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to declare the seat of Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, vacant after his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party.
Governor Diri resigned from the PDP on Wednesday alongside members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly. His move has fuelled speculation that he may be preparing to join the All Progressives Congress.
The announcement was made during an expanded State Executive Council meeting in Government House, Yenagoa. Present at the meeting were the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere, Deputy Speaker Michael Ogbere, APGA minority leader Edward Brigidi and seven other lawmakers.
Diri said his decision followed wide consultations with stakeholders but did not elaborate on his reasons. He thanked his supporters for their loyalty and urged them to continue backing his administration. The governor did not mention the position of his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, who was absent from the meeting.
Reacting on Instagram, Kenneth Okonkwo argued that by resigning from his party without joining another, Diri had lost his constitutional qualification to remain governor. He referred to Section 177(c) of the 1999 Constitution, which requires a governor to be a member of a political party and be sponsored by that party.
Okonkwo said Diri could have defected to another party but could not remain without party affiliation. He urged INEC to act immediately by declaring the seat vacant and organising a new election within 90 days.
