The Labour Party (LP) has criticized the recent defection of four of its House of Representatives members to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and plans to take legal action to have their seats declared vacant.
The lawmakers involved are Tochukwu Okere (Imo), Donatus Mathew (Kaduna), Bassey Akiba (Cross River), and Iyawe Esosa (Edo).
LP’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, described the defections as “unfortunate, irrational, and inconsistent with the norms of democracy.” He cited Section 68(g) of the 1999 Constitution, which outlines the conditions under which a lawmaker can change parties and the consequences of such actions.
Ifoh stated that the party will instruct its legal team to take action against the defectors and will ask the Speaker of the House to declare their seats vacant, as per House rules. He emphasized that it’s inappropriate for these lawmakers to continue representing their constituencies after switching parties.
Additionally, LP plans to create a ‘Hall of Shame’ to list any elected officials who defect without relinquishing the mandate they received under the party’s ticket. Ifoh urged Nigerians to be cautious of politicians who lack clear democratic principles and switch parties without ideological commitment.
He concluded by highlighting LP’s achievements since its formation in 2002, including winning various elected positions and making a significant impact in the 2023 general elections.
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