OGHARA/Nigeria: As the defection of former Ethiope Federal Constituency representative, Rt. Hon. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, continues to dominate media discourse, the Ethiope Federal Constituency PDP Forum has reaffirmed its resolve to lawfully restore the party’s mandate. Rising from a meeting on Thursday, the leaders dismissed unwarranted media attacks on Chief (Senator) Ighoyota Amori, stating that such distractions would not deter efforts to replace Hon. Ibori-Suenu in the Federal House of Representatives.
The group criticized attempts to personalize the constitutional questions surrounding Ibori-Suenu’s defection, emphasizing that Senator Amori and other PDP leaders were focused solely on using legal channels to reclaim the party’s seat through a by-election. They noted that the defection was both “unlawful and morally defective,” as Ibori-Suenu had deposed to a court affidavit effectively vacating her seat upon joining another political party.
The meeting, held at Senator Amori’s Asaba residence, was attended by prominent leaders, including Rt. Hon. Arthur Akpowowo, Prof. Nyerhovwo Tonukari, Hon. Etagherure Ejiro Terry, and Sunday Onoriode. They reiterated that Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu was no longer a federal lawmaker by virtue of her own sworn affidavit, which had binding legal consequences.
In their resolutions, the Forum pledged to refrain from media attacks or inflammatory rhetoric, instead pursuing their mandate through courts of competent jurisdiction. They expressed confidence in Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s leadership, praising his commitment to socioeconomic and infrastructure development across Delta State’s senatorial districts.
The Forum assured party members that the PDP remains poised to win future elections, including the 2027 governorship and legislative contests in Ethiope Federal Constituency. They dismissed supporters of Ibori-Suenu as lacking electoral influence, calling them “political comedians” with no significant impact on the constituency’s political landscape.
To signify a renewed political direction, the leaders announced plans to inaugurate the Forum on February 7, marking the start of mass mobilization efforts aimed at strengthening PDP’s dominance in Ethiope Federal Constituency.
Speaking on behalf of the Forum, Dr. Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, Publicity Secretary and Director General of the Delta State Bureau for Communications and Orientation, clarified that the Forum harbored no personal animosity toward Ibori-Suenu. He stressed that the group’s actions were grounded in constitutional provisions, particularly Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, which renders a lawmaker’s seat vacant upon defection from their party.
“We will not engage in petty squabbles or respond to insults directed at Senator Amori by political jesters. Our focus remains on the facts of the matter, as Hon. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu’s actions have rendered her seat vacant under the law,” Oghenesivbe stated.
He accused Ibori-Suenu of neglecting her responsibilities to the PDP and her constituents, citing her absence from party meetings and refusal to participate in state and local events. According to Oghenesivbe, her reasons for defection were “flimsy, inconsequential, and repugnant to natural justice.”
“Erhiatake’s defection is a clear violation of the mandate she was given by the PDP and the people of Ethiope Federal Constituency. By her own affidavit, she agreed to vacate the PDP seat upon defection to another party. Her tenure as a federal lawmaker effectively ended the moment she joined APC,” Oghenesivbe added.
The Forum expressed confidence that the PDP’s mandate would be restored through a by-election and pledged to continue upholding the party’s principles and interests across Delta State.
