LP Reacts to Lawmaker Defections: “We Will Fight for Our Mandates”

The Labour Party (LP) has announced plans to take legal action against four members of the House of Representatives who recently defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, revealed that lawmakers Chinedu Okere, Mathew Donatus, Akiba Bassey, and Esosa Iyawe had switched allegiance to the ruling party, citing alleged internal crises within the LP.

In a statement, Obiora Ifoh, the Labour Party’s spokesperson, condemned the defections, describing them as a violation of democratic principles and Nigeria’s Constitution. The party specifically referenced Section 68(g) of the 1999 Constitution, which regulates the circumstances under which elected representatives can lawfully defect from their sponsoring political party.

The LP argued that the Constitution only permits defections in cases of a division within the original party or a merger with another party, neither of which applies to the current situation. The party also called on Speaker Abbas to declare the defectors’ seats vacant, asserting that their continued representation is “illegal.”

“The defection, to us, is quite unfortunate and we condemn the action which is irrational, untenable, inconsistent, and alien to all known norms for which democracy stands,” the statement read.

The LP further emphasized its commitment to pursuing the matter through legal channels, stating that its leadership had instructed its legal team to take action against the defectors. The party plans to seek redress under the provisions of the Constitution and the 2022 Electoral Act, aiming to reclaim the mandates it believes were obtained under its banner.

In addition to legal measures, the Labour Party announced plans to establish a “Hall of Shame” to document lawmakers and elected officials who defect from the party without relinquishing their mandates. The defecting representatives are expected to be the first entrants in this register.