The Labour Party (LP) has taken legal action against the defection of six of its members from the House of Representatives to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The political party has filed a lawsuit requesting that the court compel the National Assembly leadership to declare the seats of the defected lawmakers vacant.
The announcement was made in a statement by LP’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, who said the defectors had the constitutional right to freedom of association, but not the right to “steal” mandates obtained under the Labour Party.
Ifoh criticized the defectors, accusing them of betraying the trust of their constituents and the party. He highlighted the case of Mr. Akangbe Illiya, a representative for Jos South/Jos East, Plateau State, who recently defected from LP to APC.
“The Labour Party received with dismay news of the betrayal of the people of Jos South/Jos East by Mr. Akangbe Illiya, a man whom the Labour Party and the people of Plateau State entrusted with their collective hopes and aspirations for a just and equitable society,” Ifoh said.
He continued, “Hon. Illiya, who just engraved his name on the Labour Party ‘Hall of Shame,’ has brought dishonour to himself through this action.”
Ifoh pointed out that while the Nigerian constitution allows citizens to change political parties, it does not protect lawmakers who “steal the mandate of a people and a political party” and later defect to another party without relinquishing the mandate they acquired under false pretenses.
He emphasized that the defection of the lawmakers was “unfortunate” and “condemnable,” referencing Section 68(g) of the 1999 Constitution, which outlines when and how a lawmaker can change parties.
Ifoh expressed disappointment that Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abass, had failed to declare the defectors’ seats vacant despite clear constitutional provisions.
“It is unnecessary probing why most of the defectors chose the All Progressives Congress (APC) as their destination point and why the Speaker of the House of Representatives has refused to respect the provisions of the constitution by declaring their seats vacant,” Ifoh said.
He stated that it was the defectors who had “exposed themselves as unworthy of our collective trust going forward” by abandoning their constituents.
In addition to seeking the declaration of vacant seats, the Labour Party’s lawsuit also demands that the defected lawmakers return all salaries, emoluments, and privileges they received since their defection.
Earlier reports confirmed that Akangbe Illiya, along with Tochukwu Okere (Imo), Donatus Mathew (Kaduna), Bassey Akiba (Cross River), Iyawe Esosa (Edo), and Daulyop Fom (Plateau), all defected from the Labour Party to the APC.
These defections came after the Labour Party lost six of its members in the House to the APC. The Speaker of the House, Hon. Tajudeen Abass, announced Illiya’s defection during a plenary session, citing the “crisis in the leadership of the Labour Party” as a key reason for the move.
Illiya himself confirmed the defection in a letter to the House, stating that he found it “difficult to align with LP’s position on current issues.” He also referenced the leadership challenges within the party as factors influencing his decision to join the APC.
These defections have sparked controversy within Nigerian politics, with many questioning the motivations behind the lawmakers’ shift to the ruling party. Critics argue that the defectors are more interested in personal gain and political survival rather than serving their constituents.
The Labour Party, on the other hand, insists that the seats of these lawmakers were won under its mandate, and that they should be held accountable for betraying the party and the people they represented.
This ongoing political drama highlights the growing tensions between Nigeria’s major political parties, especially as the country heads into the 2024 elections. The outcome of the lawsuit could have significant implications for the future of the country’s political landscape, as it would set a precedent for how defectors are treated under Nigerian law.
For now, the Labour Party continues to call for justice, hoping that the court will rule in their favor and set a strong example for other politicians tempted to defect without consequence.
The defection of six lawmakers has sent shockwaves through the political sphere, sparking debates over loyalty, integrity, and the true meaning of public service. Only time will tell how the courts will rule on this case and whether these defections will further alter the balance of power in Nigeria’s legislature.
