Defection: PDP Sues Hon Oke

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has approached the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking the removal of Rep. Oluwole Oke from the House of Representatives following his recent defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a suit filed on Monday, the PDP asked the court to compel the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, to immediately declare Oke’s seat—representing Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency of Osun State—vacant, in line with Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The party also demanded that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) be directed to conduct a bye-election to fill the vacant seat, arguing that Oke’s defection was unconstitutional since it did not arise from any known division, merger, or faction within the PDP.

In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1040/2025, PDP is asking for a total of eight reliefs and has listed five defendants: Rep Oke, the Speaker of the House, the Clerk of the National Assembly, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, and INEC.

The party is further seeking an order mandating the Clerk of the National Assembly to immediately halt the payment of all salaries, allowances, and entitlements to Oke, and to compel the lawmaker to refund all benefits received from the date of his resignation from the PDP to the date of judgment.

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According to the originating summons filed by PDP’s counsel, Raphael Oyewole, the suit raises seven constitutional questions for determination. Among them is whether, by virtue of Section 68(1)(g) of the Constitution, a lawmaker who defects from the party under which he was elected—without any justifiable legal cause—ought not to automatically forfeit his legislative seat.

The party contends that Oke’s continued stay in the National Assembly as a member of the APC amounts to a violation of constitutional provisions governing political defections.

Oke, a six-term lawmaker, had announced his resignation from the PDP in a letter dated April 16, 2025, addressed to the party chairman in Ward 7, Obokun Local Government Area of Osun State. He also copied the PDP national and state leadership, citing consultations with his political allies, associates, and family as the basis for his decision.

The matter is yet to be assigned to a judge.