Former National Legal Adviser of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Jacob Mark, has called for the removal of the Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, from office following his resignation from the party.
Recall that Governor Diri recently resigned from the opposition party immediately after his Enugu counterpart, Peter Mbah, defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
There are reports that Diri will join the APC, but he has yet to officially announce his decision.
While responding to questions in an interview on Arise Television on Tuesday, Mark referenced the constitution’s position regarding defection, stressing that an individual cannot occupy elective office without a political office.
He said, “The constitution of Nigeria clearly states that you cannot contest elections without being sponsored by a political party. By implication, you also cannot occupy an elective office without a political office.
“What we are seeing today is that individuals are bigger than the political parties, they are becoming like warlords who are in charge of the territory they occupy and they take decisions without regard for anything.”
Meanwhile, the crisis rocking the PDP in Bayelsa State deepened on Monday as more members announced their resignation following Diri’s dramatic exit from the party.
At a stakeholders’ meeting in Yenagoa, leaders and members of Yenagoa Constituency 3, covering Okordia, Zarama, and Biseni communities, declared their mass resignation.
Led by the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Gentle Emelah, the group said their decision was tied to Diri’s political direction.
The leaders stated, “There is a need for all of us to resign our membership of the Peoples Democratic Party alongside our governor, Senator Douye Diri.
“The people of Okordia, Zarama, and Biseni have confidence in the governor’s leadership. The decision of the governor is in the best interest of the people. Yenagoa Constituency 3 will remain a stronghold of His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri, and will continue with him wherever he leads.”
