Defection: Court dismisses PDP’s suit seeking Abia House of Assembly member’s removal 

The Federal High Court sitting successful Umuahia has dismissed a lawsuit filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) seeking to state the spot of the subordinate representing Isiala Ngwa South Constituency successful the Abia State House of Assembly, Dennis Chinwendu Roland, vacant.

The enactment had filed the suit pursuing the defection of Roland from the PDP to the Labour Party successful February 2025.

According to the PDP, the defection of the lawmaker from the enactment that sponsored him was successful usurpation of the 1999 Constitution.

It prayed the tribunal to bid the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to state the spot of the lawmaker vacant and behaviour a caller predetermination successful the Isiala Ngwa South State Constituency to capable the seat.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly were the different parties joined successful the suit.

But delivering the judgment, Justice S. B. Onu, who presided implicit the matter, dismissed the PDP’s prayers for deficiency of diligent prosecution and involvement by the plaintiff successful pursuing the matter.

Justice Onu ruled that the plaintiff and the defence failed to look durin...