The Labour Party has filed a lawsuit following the defection of six House of Representatives members from the party to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Akangbe Illiya, representing Jos South/Jos East in Plateau State, joined the APC on Thursday, adding to the growing number of LP lawmakers who have recently left the party.
In a statement, LP spokesman Obiorah Ifo condemned Illiya’s defection, calling it “unfortunate and condemnable.” While acknowledging citizens’ constitutional right to freedom of association, the party pointed out that Section 68(g) of the 1999 Constitution outlines the conditions under which lawmakers must vacate their seats upon defecting from their sponsoring party.
Ifo stated that the Labour Party has filed a suit to compel the leadership of the National Assembly to declare the seats of the defected lawmakers vacant. The suit also seeks the recovery of all salaries, emoluments, and privileges received by the defectors since their switch to the APC.
The party emphasized that it was unnecessary to probe the reasons behind the defectors’ choice to join the APC or why House Speaker Hon. Tajudeen Abass had yet to declare their seats vacant, despite the constitutional mandate. “Politicians who abandon the people at this critical time are the ones who deserve pity, as they have shown themselves unworthy of our trust moving forward,” the LP statement concluded.
In the past two weeks, six LP members of the House of Representatives have defected to the APC, citing internal leadership issues within the opposition party. In response, the LP has vowed to pursue legal action against the lawmakers.
