The opposition party also asked the court to declare Attah’s continued occupation of the seat unlawful following his defection. It sought an order nullifying all legislative actions undertaken by the lawmaker after he left the PDP. In his judgment, Justice Umar observed that the dispute arose from the defection of a lawmaker who was elected on the platform of the PDP. Defection Announcement Insufficient — JudgeThe court, however, held that merely announcing a lawmaker’s defection was not enough to remove him from office. Justice Umar explained that Section 109 of the 1999 Constitution prescribed the procedure to be followed before the seat of a state lawmaker could be declared vacant.