Many Labour Party Members Are Considering Defecting to APC – Lawmaker

Etanabene Benedict, a Labour Party (LP) representative in the House of Representatives, has revealed that several of his colleagues are considering joining the All Progressives Congress (APC). This comes on the heels of four LP lawmakers defecting to the APC, citing internal party issues as their reason.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Benedict, who represents Okpe/Sapele/Uvwie federal constituency in Delta State, described the defections as a strategic move ahead of the 2027 general elections. He suggested that the lawmakers’ lack of confidence in their chances of reelection under the LP banner motivated their decision.

According to Benedict, “The trend of Edo and Ondo is frightening to them, and they do not believe that they are strategically positioned to seek reelection under the Labour Party. That is the main reason. There are still many others in the Labour Party that are thinking along that line too. So, if it happens tomorrow, I won’t be surprised.”

The Labour Party has expressed its dissatisfaction with the defections, vowing to take legal action. The party announced plans to petition the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, to declare the seats of the defected lawmakers vacant.

Benedict dismissed the claims of internal crises within the LP, describing them as excuses to justify the lawmakers’ exit. He emphasized that the real reason behind the moves was the lawmakers’ fear of losing their seats in 2027. “Nobody believes that if you are elected to office, there is a time limit, and when that time comes, if the people want you again, you’re reelected; if they don’t want you, you go,” he added.