The Labour Party (LP) has condemned the defection of four of its lawmakers to the All Progressives Congress (APC), vowing to take legal action and have their seats declared vacant.
In a statement issued following Thursday’s defection, LP’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, expressed disapproval, calling the move “unfortunate, irrational, and inconsistent with democratic norms.”
The four defecting lawmakers—Tochukwu Okere (Imo), Donatus Mathew (Kaduna), Bassey Akiba (Cross River), and Iyawe Esosa (Edo)—had their defection letters read out in the House of Representatives by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
Ifoh referenced Section 68(g) of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, which regulates defections and calls for the vacating of seats if lawmakers abandon their party. He stressed that the defectors should not retain their positions as APC members, insisting the party would take legal action and seek a declaration from the Speaker to vacate their seats.
“We will not allow this slide. Our legal team will take action to regain our mandates, in line with the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act,” Ifoh affirmed.
The party also announced plans to open a “Hall of Shame” for defectors, urging Nigerians to reject politicians who switch parties without ideological commitment.
Ifoh defended the LP’s track record, citing the party’s achievements in the 2023 elections, including a governorship seat, eight Senate slots, and 35 House of Representatives seats. He argued that the defectors owed their success to the party’s platform, not personal achievements.
The LP also dismissed claims of internal crises as reasons for the defections. House Minority Whip, Ali Isa, and party leader George Ozodinobi criticized the defectors, warning that their decisions would cost them in future elections.
Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, however, welcomed the defectors, leading to an exchange of handshakes with APC members.
