The Labour Party (LP) has taken legal action against six members of the House of Representatives who recently defected from the party to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a statement issued on Friday, the party condemned the actions of the lawmakers, vowing to seek a court ruling that would compel the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abass, to declare their seats vacant.
The six lawmakers, who were elected on the LP platform, made the decision to switch allegiance to APC over the past two weeks.
Their defection has sparked a political storm, with the LP accusing them of betraying the party’s mandate and abandoning their constituents.
The defectors cited internal divisions within the Labour Party and the desire to serve their constituencies better as their reasons for the shift to the APC.
However, the Labour Party has rejected these justifications, calling them “unfortunate and condemnable.”
Obiora Ifoh, the spokesperson for LP, said the lawmakers’ actions were a betrayal of the trust placed in them by their constituents.
He further emphasized that while the Constitution guarantees the right to freedom of association, the defection violated the provisions of Section 68(g) of the 1999 Constitution.
According to Ifoh, this section clearly outlines the consequences when a lawmaker defects from the political party that sponsored their election.
“The actions of these lawmakers do not align with the provisions of the Constitution, and we are determined to seek redress,” Ifoh said in the statement.
The Labour Party has already filed a legal action in the courts, demanding that the National Assembly leadership declare the seats of the defected lawmakers vacant.
The suit also seeks to compel the lawmakers to return any salaries, allowances, or privileges they have received since their defection.
“The party has since filed actions in court to compel the National Assembly leadership to declare the seats of the defected Labour Party lawmakers vacant,” Ifoh added.
“The suit also seeks that every salary, emolument, or privilege received from the date of defection be returned.”
The Labour Party is not only asking for the lawmakers’ seats to be vacated but is also insisting that they repay the public funds they have received since their defection.
In the statement, the LP also questioned the motivations behind the defectors’ decision to join the APC.
“While it is unnecessary to probe why most of the defectors chose APC as their new home, it is crucial to highlight the betrayal of the people who trusted them,” Ifoh said.
The LP further criticized Speaker Tajudeen Abass for failing to respect the constitutional provisions regarding defections.
“It is troubling that Speaker Abass has not acted in accordance with the constitution to declare the seats vacant,” Ifoh remarked.
The party emphasized that the real victims of the defections are the people the lawmakers represent.
“Those who abandon their constituents at this crucial time are the ones who deserve pity,” Ifoh said. “They have shown themselves to be unworthy of the trust we had placed in them.”
The defection of the six LP lawmakers comes amid ongoing political shifts in Nigeria’s legislative bodies.
The political landscape has been marked by increased movements between parties as lawmakers and politicians seek to align with the party in power.
This defection raises questions about the stability and integrity of the country’s political institutions, with many critics questioning the motivations behind such moves.
Labour Party’s stance reflects a broader concern about the ethics of political defections in Nigeria, where party loyalty is often seen as a key indicator of a politician’s commitment to their constituents.
The situation also raises concerns about the state of Nigerian democracy, with critics pointing to the lack of accountability and the frequent switching of political affiliations as a sign of instability.
Political analysts argue that defections, especially those motivated by personal or political gain, undermine the principles of democracy and erode the trust between elected officials and the public.
“These defections show a disregard for the democratic process and the will of the people who voted for these lawmakers,” said one analyst.
“This is a troubling trend that not only destabilizes the political environment but also weakens the trust citizens have in their elected representatives.”
Under Nigerian law, specifically Section 68(g) of the 1999 Constitution, lawmakers who defect from the party that sponsored their election are required to vacate their seats.
The law is meant to ensure that elected officials remain accountable to the party that gave them the mandate to represent the people.
The Labour Party’s legal action seeks to enforce this provision and hold the defecting lawmakers accountable for their decision.
The constitutional provision aims to prevent lawmakers from using their positions to gain personal advantage by switching parties without consequences.
