By Ayomide Otitoju
The Labour Party (LP) has filed a lawsuit concerning the recent defection of six members of the House of Representatives to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Among the defectors is Akangbe Illiya, who represents Jos South/Jos East in Plateau State, joining the APC on Thursday and contributing to the growing number of LP lawmakers leaving the party.
In a statement released by LP spokesman Obiorah Ifo, the party condemned Illiya’s shift to the APC as “quite unfortunate and condemnable.” While acknowledging the constitutional right to freedom of association, the party emphasized that Section 68(g) of the 1999 Constitution clearly outlines the conditions under which lawmakers may defect, as well as the consequences of such actions.
Obiorah stated that the Labour Party has initiated legal proceedings aimed at compelling the National Assembly leadership to declare the seats of the defecting lawmakers vacant. The lawsuit also seeks reimbursement of all salaries, emoluments, and benefits received by the lawmakers since their defection.
The LP expressed concern over the reasons behind the defectors’ choice of the APC as their new political home, particularly criticizing the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abass, for failing to promptly declare the seats vacant as required by the constitution.
“The politicians who have chosen to abandon the people at this crucial time are the ones who deserve pity,” Obiorah remarked. “They have exposed themselves as unworthy of our collective trust going forward.”
In the past two weeks, six LP members of the House of Representatives have defected to the APC, citing a leadership crisis within the opposition party. Following these exits, the Labour Party reaffirmed its commitment to take legal action against the defecting lawmakers.
