Labour Party Calls For Court Order To Vacate Seats Of Defectors

Labour Party Calls For Court Order To Vacate Seats Of DefectorsThe Labour Party (LP) has taken legal action, urging the court to compel the leadership of the National Assembly to declare the seats of defecting lawmakers vacant. This move follows the recent defections of four House of Representatives members from the LP to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), who cited “internal crisis” within the party as the reason for their departure.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Adding to the string of defections, Ajang Iliya, an LP representative from Plateau State, announced his switch to the APC on Tuesday. In response, Obiora Ifoh, the Labour Party’s spokesperson, issued a statement on Thursday condemning the defections as a betrayal of the people’s trust and a violation of their mandate.

Ifoh accused the defecting lawmakers of attempting to “run away with the people’s mandate” and called for their removal from their legislative positions. He argued that the constitution clearly specifies the consequences for lawmakers who abandon the party that sponsored their election.

Criticizing Iliya’s defection, Ifoh emphasized that while the constitution guarantees freedom of association, it also imposes limitations on political party membership for elected officials. He argued that lawmakers who win elections under one party’s banner cannot simply switch allegiance without forfeiting the mandate given to them by voters.

The statement read in part: “The leadership of the Labour Party was once again dismayed by the betrayal of the people of Jos South/Jos East by Mr. Akangbe Iliya, a man whom the Labour Party and the people of Plateau State entrusted with their hopes and aspirations for a just and equitable society through legislation. Hon. Iliya, who has now earned a place in the Labour Party ‘Hall of Shame,’ has dishonoured himself through this action.”

Ifoh further stressed that while the constitution guarantees citizens the right to freedom of association, it qualifies this right with respect to political party membership. “The law does not protect an individual who steals the mandate of a people and a political party to run into another without first surrendering the mandate he deceitfully acquired,” he said.

Ifoh also pointed to Section 68(g) of the 1999 Constitution, which outlines when and under what conditions a lawmaker can defect and what happens when they do. He expressed concern over why defectors had chosen to join the APC, accusing the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abass, of failing to uphold the constitutional requirement by not declaring their seats vacant.

“Those politicians who abandon the people at this crucial time deserve pity,” Ifoh concluded, “as they have exposed themselves as unworthy of our collective trust going forward.”

The Labour Party has filed a lawsuit seeking to compel the National Assembly to declare the seats of the defected lawmakers vacant. The suit also demands the return of all salaries, emoluments, and privileges received by the defectors since their defection.

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