A Federal High Court sitting in Umuahia on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, dismissed a suit filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) seeking to declare the seat of the member representing Ukwa East and Ukwa West Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Chris Nkwonta, vacant following his defection from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
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The PDP had approached the court, arguing that Nkwonta’s defection violated Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution, which provides that a lawmaker shall vacate his seat if he defects from the political party that sponsored his election to another party before the expiration of his tenure, except in cases of division or merger within the party.
The party also prayed the court to direct the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a by-election within 90 days to fill the seat.
Delivering judgment, Justice S.B. Onu dismissed the suit, citing lack of diligent prosecution and interest in the matter by the plaintiff, as both the plaintiff and defence reportedly failed to appear during the court’s last sitting despite hearing notices issued to all parties involved.
Parties in the suit included the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
