The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has commenced move aimed at unseating five of its former governors, who recently decamped to the All Progressive Congress (APC).

It has approached the Federal High Court, Abuja, seeking among others, an order directing the Houses of Assembly in the governors’ states to commence impeachment process against them.

The affected governors are – Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Alhaji Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto), Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano) and Alhaji Abdulfatai Ahmed (Kwara).

Joined in the suit along with the five governors is the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The party cited Sections 177 (c), 221 and 222 (c) of the Constitution as the basis for which the court could declare the governors ineligible to remain in office as governor having defected to APC.

The PDP presented five questions for the court’s determination and prayed for six reliefs.

The reliefs include an order mandating or directing the State Houses of Assembly of Adamawa, Rivers, Sokoto, Kano and Kwara States to commence impeachment proceedings against the 2nd – 6th defendants (the governors) forthwith.

Other reliefs are listed as follows:

* A declaration that by the combined provisions of section 177 (c), 221 and 222 (c) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) the 2nd – 6th defendants who were elected under the platform of the plaintiff cannot continue to enjoy the mandate given to the plaintiff by the people / electorate of the respective states as the 2nd – 6th defendants have defected to the APC.

* A declaration that in the absence of any division known and recognized by law in the Plaintiff, the 2nd – 6th defendants who were elected under the plaintiff’s platform have vacated or forfeited their seats forthwith upon their defection to APC.

* A declaration that having combined provisions of section 87 of the Electoral Act 2011 (as amended), section 177 (c), 221 and 222 (c) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) the 2nd – 6th Defendants defection from the Plaintiff the APC, the offices of the 2nd – 6th defendants have reverted to the plaintiff.