Nollywood actor and politician, Kenneth Okonkwo, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare the governorship seat in Bayelsa State vacant following the resignation of Governor Douye Diri from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Okonkwo, in a post shared on 𝕏, argued that Diri’s decision to leave the PDP without joining another political party renders him “partyless,” a situation he claims is unconstitutional under Section 177(c) of the 1999 Constitution.
“Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has just vacated his seat as the Governor of Bayelsa State by resigning from the PDP and not belonging to any party,” Okonkwo stated. “The law clearly states that every elected member of the government must belong to a political party. An elected official can defect from one party to another but cannot be partyless at any time.”
He further called on INEC to take immediate action by declaring the governor’s seat vacant and organizing a new governorship election in the state within 90 days.
Naija News recalls that Governor Diri, on Wednesday, announced his resignation from the PDP during a meeting at the executive chamber of the Bayelsa State Government House. Although he confirmed his exit from the party, Diri did not reveal his next political affiliation. His decision was reportedly backed by 23 members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, led by the Speaker.