The Labour Party (LP) has initiated legal proceedings against six of its former House of Representatives members who recently defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Recent Defection
The latest defector, Akangbe Illiya, representing Jos South/Jos East in Plateau State, joined the APC on Thursday, increasing the count of LP members moving to the ruling party. The Labour Party, through its spokesman Obiorah Ifo, labeled Illiya’s defection as “quite unfortunate and condemnable.”
Legal Grounds for Action
The LP stressed that while the Nigerian Constitution supports the right to freedom of association, it also specifies conditions under which a lawmaker can defect without legal repercussions. According to Obiorah, Section 68(g) of the 1999 Constitution clearly outlines these conditions, and the party has taken this matter to court. The lawsuit aims to:
- Force the National Assembly to declare the seats of these defectors vacant.
- Demand the return of all salaries, emoluments, and privileges received since their defection.
Party’s Stance
The Labour Party criticized the defectors for abandoning their constituents during a pivotal time, suggesting that these politicians have shown themselves unworthy of public trust. They also questioned the inaction of the Speaker of the House, Hon Tajudeen Abass, in not declaring the seats vacant as per constitutional expectations.
READ ALSO: Five Lawmakers Defect to APC, Labour Party Reacts Strongly
Context of Defections
Over the past two weeks, six LP members in the House of Representatives have cited a leadership crisis within the Labour Party as their reason for defecting to the APC. This trend has prompted the LP to take a firm stance against what they see as a breach of democratic principles and party loyalty.
The Labour Party’s legal move signifies a robust response to manage the fallout from these defections, aiming to uphold the integrity of the electoral mandate given to its members.
