The Labour Party has strongly condemned the defection of five of its lawmakers to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), describing their actions as irrational and inconsistent with democratic values.
In a statement signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, the Labour Party expressed its disappointment and emphasized that the defectors should not retain their positions. The party pointed to Section 68(g) of the 1999 Constitution, which prohibits lawmakers elected on a particular party’s ticket from defecting unless there is a division within the party or a merger of political parties.
The defectors, including Tochukwu Okere (Imo), Donatus Mathew (Kaduna), Bassey Akiba (Cross River), Iyawe Esosa (Edo), and Daulyop Fom (Plateau), officially submitted their defection letters to the APC, which were read out by the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas.
The Labour Party has instructed its legal team to take necessary actions to reclaim its mandates and will pursue legal action against the defectors. The party has also decided to maintain a “Hall of Shame” register for any lawmaker who defects in this manner without relinquishing their mandate.
