Nollywood actor and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, Kenneth Okonkwo, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare the seat of Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri vacant following his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Diri resigned from the PDP alongside members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, leading to speculation about his potential shift to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Okonkwo argued that Diri’s resignation means he is no longer affiliated with any political party, which, according to Section 177(c) of the 1999 Constitution, disqualifies him from holding his gubernatorial position.
Okonkwo called for INEC to act swiftly, stating that Diri’s lack of party affiliation necessitates the declaration of his seat as vacant and the organization of a new election within three months. He emphasized that elected officials must be members of a political party and cannot be partyless.
