By Erewunmi Peace

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has filed a lawsuit against four lawmakers from Osun State who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The case was filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja on August 20, 2025, by the party’s legal counsel, Raphael Oyewole.

The lawmakers involved include:

Senators:

Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi (Osun East)

Olubiyi Oluwole Fadeyi (Osun Central)

House of Representatives Members:

Omirin Emmanuel Olusanya (Atakumosa East/West & Ilesa East/West)

Taofeek Abimbola Ajilesoro (Ife Central/East/North & South)

The PDP argues that the defections violate Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution, which states that lawmakers who leave the party under which they were elected must vacate their seats unless the party undergoes a division or merger. The PDP contends that no such division or merger took place.

The party is seeking:

A declaration that the lawmakers’ seats are vacant by law.

An order for the Senate President and Speaker of the House to officially declare the vacancies.

A directive for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct by-elections in the affected constituencies.

Refund of all salaries, allowances, and benefits received from the date of resignation from PDP.

The cases are yet to be assigned to a judge. This legal action underscores PDP’s commitment to upholding constitutional provisions on party defections and safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process.