Defection: Labour Party Heads to Court, Seeks Reps Members’ Seats Declared Vacant

The Labour Party has filed a lawsuit demanding the declaration of vacant seats for House of Representatives members who defected to other political parties.

The Labour Party has taken legal action due to the defection of six House of Representatives members from their party to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

On Thursday, Akangbe Illiya, the representative for Jos South/Jos East of Plateau State, joined forces with the APC. This move adds to the growing number of House of Representatives members originally elected under the LP who are departing from that party.

In a statement by its spokesman, Obiorah Ifo, the LP described Illiya’s switch to the APC as “highly unfortunate and condemnable.”

The party acknowledged that the Constitution ensures citizens have the right to freedom of association. However, they pointed out that Section 68(g) of the 1999 Constitution clearly outlines when a defection is permissible and what occurs if a lawmaker sponsored by a political party chooses to switch allegiance.

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Obiorah stated that the party has already taken legal action to urge the National Assembly leadership to declare vacant the seats of Labour Party lawmakers who have defected. The lawsuit also demands that any salary, emolument, or privilege received since their defection be returned.

The party stated that there’s no need to investigate why most defectors opted for the All Progressives Congress (APC) or why Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abass, has not upheld the constitutional requirement to declare their seats vacant.

On the other hand, it is those politicians who have decided to desert the people during this critical period in their lives that truly deserve pity, as they have revealed themselves to be unworthy of our collective trust moving forward.

In the span of approximately two weeks, six House of Representatives members have switched from the LP to the APC due to a leadership crisis within one of Nigeria’s primary opposition parties.

After the defection, the party announced its intention to pursue legal action against the lawmakers.