"Hall Of Shame": Labour Party Releases List Of 5 Lawmakers Who Defected To APC

• The Labour Party condemned the defection of five lawmakers to the APC, calling it "irrational, untenable, and inconsistent"
• The party highlighted that Section 68(g) of the 1999 Constitution restricts party changes without a party split or merger
• Labour Party announced plans to take legal action to reclaim the seats of the defectors and urged Nigerians to be wary of politicians switching parties

The Labour Party has strongly condemned the defection of five of its lawmakers to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

One of the defectors, Matthew, who represents Kaura Federal Constituency in Kaduna state, had said the choice to defect to the APC was founded on conviction.

LP's criticism was contained in a statement shared via its official X handle (formerly known as Twitter), on Thursday, December 5, and signed by Obiora Ifoh, the national publicity secretary.

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The defectors are:

1. Tochukwu Okere (Imo)

2. Donatus Mathew (Kaduna)

3. Bassey Akiba (Cross River)

4. Iyawe Esosa (Edo)

5. Daulyop Fom (Plateau)

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Ifoh further noted that the above-listed lawmakers had their defection letters read by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas in the House of Representatives.

This move, according to the Labour Party, is "irrational, untenable, and inconsistent with democratic norms."

LP raises constitutional concerns

Labour Party leadership highlighted that Section 68(g) of the 1999 Constitution specifies conditions under which lawmakers may change parties.

The party emphasized that the defections were not due to a split or merger within the party, rendering them unconstitutional and unacceptable.

LP vows to take legal actions against defectors

The party has resolved to take legal steps to reclaim the seats of the defectors and ensure compliance with constitutional and electoral laws.

"These defectors have betrayed the trust placed in them by their constituents and the party," he said.

The Labour Party urged Nigerians to scrutinize politicians who change allegiances without an ideological basis, Vanguard reported.

"To protect democracy, we must isolate these opportunists," Ifoh added.

Ex-LP governorship aspirant dumps party

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Kenneth Imansuangbon, a former governorship aspirant of the Labour Party (LP) in Edo state, officially resigned from the party.

Imansuangbon cited a deepening crisis of leadership and a lack of internal democracy as key reasons for his departure.

Imansuangbon submitted his resignation letter on Wednesday, December 4, in Benin, directed to Julius Abure, the LP national chairperson, as well as the chairperson of his local Ward in Ewohimi.

Proofreading by Nkem Ikeke, journalist and copy editor at Legit.ng.