The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has approached the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, seeking the removal of Hon. Oluwole Oke, the lawmaker representing Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency of Osun State, following his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a suit filed on Monday through its lead counsel, Raphael Oyewole, the PDP urged the court to issue an order of mandamus compelling the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, to declare Oke’s seat vacant.
The party based its argument on Section 68(1)(g) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which mandates that a lawmaker who defects from the party on whose platform they were elected must relinquish their seat, unless the defection was due to a division or merger within the party — a condition the PDP insists does not apply in this case.
Oke, a five-term lawmaker, had announced his defection from the PDP to the APC in April, citing consultations with his political associates, friends, and family. His resignation letter, dated April 16, was addressed to the PDP chairman in Ward 7, Obokun Local Government Area, and copied to the party’s state and national leadership.
In reaction, the PDP filed a suit (marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1040/2025), naming Oke, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and others as defendants.
Among the seven questions raised in the originating summons, the PDP asked the court to determine whether Oke is not constitutionally required to vacate his seat following his defection. The party is seeking eight reliefs, including an order directing the Speaker and INEC to declare the seat vacant and conduct a bye-election.
Additionally, the PDP is asking the court to order the Clerk to the National Assembly to stop all salary and benefit payments to Oke, and to compel the lawmaker to refund all earnings received since his defection, claiming he has unlawfully remained in office in violation of constitutional provisions.
Oke left the PDP in April following a long time disagreement with Governor Ademola Adeleke and leaders of the PDP in Osun State.
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