Alfred Illiya Ajang Cites Leadership Crisis for Defection
Alfred Illiya Ajang, the representative for Jos South and East Federal Constituency, has left the Labour Party (LP) to join the All Progressives Congress (APC). This move was publicly declared in a letter read by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas during the House plenary on Thursday. Ajang cited ongoing internal conflicts within the LP as his primary motivation for the switch.
Controversy Over Procedure
The announcement sparked a heated debate on the floor, with some members questioning the legitimacy of the defection process. Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda argued that Ajang’s defection did not comply with the House’s standing orders, which require members to notify their constituents and the party platform before such a move. Despite these objections, the Speaker overruled the concerns, allowing the defection to proceed.
Support from Notable Figures
The session was notably attended by former Minister of Labour and Employment, now Senator Simon Lalong, who supported Ajang during his defection. The House also had to suspend its rules to allow Lalong’s presence, indicating the significance of the event.
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A Wave of Defections from LP
This latest defection follows a trend where several LP members have moved to the APC recently. Just days ago, Dalyop Chollom from Barkin Ladi/Riyom also defected for similar reasons. Weeks prior, four other LP representatives had made the same move, all pointing to internal party strife as their cause.
Legal and Political Implications
The Labour Party has responded by threatening legal action against these defectors, asserting that their moves contravene constitutional norms. This wave of defections comes at a time when LP had begun to establish itself in Nigerian politics, having secured six Senate and 34 House of Representatives seats in the 2023 elections.
