In a surprising political move, Fom Daniel Chollom, a member of the House of Representatives from the Labour Party, officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday.
The defection was announced in a letter read out by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen during the plenary session of the House.
Chollom explained that he was leaving the Labour Party because of ongoing leadership struggles within the party, which had created confusion and uncertainty.
He said these internal crises made it difficult for him to align with any faction and fulfill his duties as a representative.
“I have carefully considered my position and have concluded that the APC is the best platform for me to serve the people of my constituency,” Chollom stated in his letter.
While acknowledging that the Labour Party had given him the opportunity to serve, he expressed his belief that joining the APC would allow him to work more effectively with the government to bring about positive changes for Nigerians.
Chollom’s defection comes at a time when the Labour Party has been grappling with leadership divisions, leading to a number of defections from the party.
However, this move has sparked strong reactions from opposition lawmakers.
Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda criticized Chollom’s decision, accusing him of not following due process in his defection.
Chinda, who represents the opposition in the House, argued that Chollom should have formally resigned from his position within the Labour Party at the ward level before submitting his defection letter to the House.
“The proper process was not followed,” Chinda said. “We are calling for the declaration of his seat as vacant. He did not adhere to the required steps, and this cannot be allowed to stand.”
Chinda’s concerns were echoed by Deputy Minority Whip George Ozodinobi, who expressed disappointment over the increasing number of defectors from the Labour Party.
Ozodinobi accused these lawmakers of lacking political ideology and acting solely out of self-interest.
“Many of these defectors are undermining the Labour Party’s credibility,” Ozodinobi said. “Their actions are damaging to the party and the principles it stands for.”
Ozodinobi also warned that even the APC should be cautious in accepting such defectors, claiming that they could undermine the credibility of their new party.
“These people are just jumping from one party to another without any clear principles. Even the APC should question their loyalty,” he added.
The defections from the Labour Party have raised serious concerns within the party about the integrity of elected officials.
Some party members argue that the recent exits reflect a deeper issue of political opportunism rather than genuine ideological differences.
The defection of Chollom follows similar moves by other Labour Party members, leading to speculation about whether the party is losing its grip on key constituencies.
“It is disappointing to see representatives we trusted move to the APC,” said a senior Labour Party member who wished to remain anonymous. “It feels like they are just chasing power, without any regard for the values we hold dear.”
The Labour Party’s leadership crisis has been a subject of intense debate in recent months, with rival factions vying for control.
Some analysts believe that the internal conflict has weakened the party’s ability to present a united front, especially as the 2024 political landscape continues to shift.
Despite the criticism, Chollom defended his decision to join the APC, stating that his primary concern was serving the national interest.
“I joined the Labour Party with the hope of advancing the welfare of my people. But with the ongoing crisis, I felt it was necessary to make this move in order to better represent my constituents,” he said.
He also expressed hope that his new party would allow him to contribute more effectively to the development of Nigeria.
“I believe the APC has the structures and the leadership to drive the kind of change Nigerians need. I want to be a part of that process,” Chollom added.
