National
By elections: No automatic tickets for defecting Rivers Lawmakers – APC group
By Stephen Asaba-ase
The All Progressives Congress Reform Group (APCRG) has admonished the party’s leadership to avoid giving automatic tickets to the PDP defecting Rivers State House of Assembly members when INEC conducts by-elections for the vacant seats.
The national president of APCRG, Mr Moses Eguonoa, said this in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja.
The group commended the Appeal Court’s refusal to reinstate Martins Amaewhule and 26 others as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who defected to the APC.
According to him, the ruling, which refused to reverse the removal of the former lawmakers, was a resounding victory for democracy, the rule of law, and the principles of political integrity.
The emphasised that the APC must prepared to field candidates into the seats as soon as INEC indicates its intention to conduct a by-election to fill the vacant positions.
The group maintained that only credible candidates who align with the party’s principles and philosophy would be considered to fly the flag of the APC.
“Our candidates will be selected based on their alignment with our party’s principles and philosophy.
“We will choose candidates who share our vision for a better Rivers State and a greater Nigeria,” he said.
“We warmly welcome the Appeal Court’s decision to uphold the Federal Court’s verdict. It was a resounding judgement and a victory for democracy, the rule of law, and the principles of political integrity.
“We hail the judiciary for saving our democracy from political opportunism and destabilisation.
“The judiciary has once again demonstrated its commitment to upholding the constitution and ensuring that our democracy remains robust,” he said.
(NAN)