Labour Party In Meltdown! Full List Of 21 Lawmakers Who Abandoned Party Revealed

The Labour Party (LP), once hailed as Nigeria’s fastest-growing political force, is reeling from a mass exodus of elected officials. Since the conclusion of the 2023 general elections, no fewer than 21 lawmakers have abandoned the party, casting doubts over its future ahead of the 2027 polls.

This string of defections has shaken the LP to its core, with insiders blaming internal crises, weak leadership, poor structure, and the absence of a unified ideology for the collapse in party ranks.

The defection domino began in July 2024 when Senator Ezenwa Francis Onyewuchi (Imo East) left for the All Progressives Congress (APC). His move triggered a chain reaction:

Federal Lawmakers Who Defected:

• Chinedu Okere – Imo

• Mathew Donatus – Kaduna

• Bassey Akiba – Cross River

• Esosa Iyawe – Edo

• Alfred Iliya Ajang – Plateau

• Dalyop Chollom – Plateau

The crisis worsened in Enugu State, once an LP stronghold. Six state assembly members defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP):

• Ejike Eze

• Johnson Ugwu

• Pius Ezeuwa

• Amuka William

• Osita Eze

• Princess Ugwu

They cited a loss of confidence in the party’s direction and leadership. Shortly after, three federal lawmakers from Enugu also dumped the party:

• Dennis Agbo – PDP

• Chidi Obetta – PDP

• Sunday Umeha – APC

Malachi-Okey Onyechi, another Enugu assembly member, also joined PDP.

High-Profile Senate Exits:

• Senator Ireti Kingibe – FCT

• Senator Neda Imasuen – Edo South

By mid-2025, two more Reps members from Enugu — Chimaobi Atu and Paul Nnanchi — officially exited, rounding the total number to 21 lawmakers, spread across Imo, Enugu, Plateau, Edo, Kaduna, Cross River, and the FCT.

Full List of Defectors:

1. Senator Ezenwa Francis Onyewuchi – Imo East

2. Chinedu Okere – Reps, Imo

3. Mathew Donatus – Reps, Kaduna

4. Bassey Akiba – Reps, Cross River

5. Esosa Iyawe – Reps, Edo

6. Alfred Iliya Ajang – Reps, Plateau

7. Dalyop Chollom – Reps, Plateau

8. Ejike Eze – Enugu Assembly

9. Johnson Ugwu – Enugu Assembly

10. Pius Ezeuwa – Enugu Assembly

11. Amuka William – Enugu Assembly

12. Osita Eze – Enugu Assembly

13. Princess Ugwu – Enugu Assembly

14. Dennis Agbo – Reps, Enugu

15. Chidi Obetta – Reps, Enugu

16. Sunday Umeha – Reps, Enugu

17. Malachi-Okey Onyechi – Enugu Assembly

18. Senator Ireti Kingibe – FCT

19. Senator Neda Imasuen – Edo South

20. Chimaobi Atu – Reps, Enugu

21. Paul Nnanchi – Reps, Enugu

Labour Party’s Response

The LP’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiorah Ifoh, described the defectors as “betrayers of voter trust” and revealed plans to add their names to a ‘Hall of Shame’. He also announced legal action in line with Section 68(g) of the 1999 Constitution, which penalizes defections not caused by internal divisions.

“These politicians are not leaving due to our failures, but for personal gain and political survival,” Ifoh said.

Analysts Weigh In

According to political analyst Prof. Kamilu Sani Fage, the LP’s rapid rise in 2023 was fueled by Peter Obi’s charisma, not the party’s organizational strength.

“Without Obi’s continued relevance, LP risks total collapse,” Fage warned.

Fears of Bigger Exits

Speculations are swirling that Peter Obi and Abia Governor Alex Otti may soon leave the party, which could be the final blow to LP’s national relevance.

With the African Democratic Congress (ADC) gaining traction as a new opposition coalition, the LP’s dream of becoming a third force is now on shaky ground.

Analysts further argue that these mass defections highlight Nigeria’s weak party system, where political ideology often takes a back seat to personal interests.

“In Nigeria, the only ideology for many politicians is survival,” said Ifoh.

Fage added, “Mass defection to the ruling party weakens democracy and kills opposition integrity.”